Eastern States Press Midwest to Improve Air
The December 9, 2013 news article in the New York Times namely “Eastern States Press Midwest to Improve Air” states that the governors of eight Northeastern states in the a against the Midwest over the polluted air from the coal plants have planned to lobby the environmental protection agency to enforce more tight air pollution rules on nine Appalachian and Rust belt states. According to Davenport, these east coast states have been for over 15 years subjected to tighter air pollution regulations than any other state in the U.S. The governors have since criticized the Rust belt and Appalachian states which include Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan for showing too much laxity in controlling air pollution from coal power plants, industries ad tail pipes, permitting those economies to benefits from cheap energy yet their hiccupped smog and soot are carried away by the prevailing winds which blow across the U.S.
As Davenport states the petition involves the EPA regulation popularly referred to as the good neighbor rule, which enforces states with coal pollution which adversely affects other states to harness the pollutants by installing expensive pollution control technologies or to let go coal power plants. Nonetheless though the regulation might be upheld, these governor still pursue stringer restrictions on pollution from the mentioned Midwest states. On the other hand, various law makers across the Midwest states view the pursued regulations as a perilous economic threat. According to one, Gary Broadbent, the sanctioning is absolutely unreasonable and extortionately expensive as it would result in the end of thousands of jobs yet no environmental gains is attained. Similarly, the coal industry have argue against the regulation claiming that it would not affect the air along the East coast. However, it is a sad reality that the North eastern regions of the US has experienced the dirtiest air for quite a while.
Davenport present a detailed political analysis of the issued surrounding the pursuit of tighter air pollution rules. He clearly differentiates fact and his opinions, for instance when he asserts that the
“The Northeast has long had some of the nation’s dirtiest air. In the 1970s and 1980s, East Coast pollution was produced largely by dense cities and busy highways, particularly Interstate 95. A 1990 clean-air law placed tight regional restrictions on pollution from ozone, a primary contributor to smog, on the New England states as well as on New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and the metropolitan area of Washington”(Davenport “Eastern.”)
He presents facts, a harsh reality on the crisis surrounding the air pollution by the Midwest states. He also set forth his opinion concerning the issue of the governor pursuing stricter rules. As he discusses he shows is support for the petitioning, though he does not come out clear and loud.
The issue davenport discusses is of great significance to a majority of the people in the U.S. including the respective states and also other states. The admissions of the governors’ petitions would imply or infer a nationwide implementation of stricter regulations. Specifically, for California, being in the west, this petition would also affect it in the long run as the states to the east of it would also seek to have unpolluted air. Luckily, California has been majorly on the forefront in campaigns against air pollution. In my opinion, the issue presented by Davenport reflects on the need of the good neighbor rule. I agree with his opinion on the issues, claiming support for the petition as it would call for accountable leadership, taking note of the neighboring states in very economic activity.
Analysis: Immigrant-friendly laws show California's political shift
The October 9, 2013 news article in the Los Angeles Times namely “Analysis: Immigrant-friendly laws show California's political shift” examines the rationality of the punitive measures which the state has adopted to protect shield the state government from providing basic needs to people who live in the state illegally. According to Barabak, approximately 2 decades ago when California was twirling from form recession and aboil over immigration, voters passed the proposition which intended to act as a punitive measure that ought to deny services such as health care and education to the illegal migrants to California State.
As indicated the people voted with over 80% who voted in favor of the enactment, claiming that the intended to send a message of protest against the issues of immigration and its burden to the State. The initiative also by coincidence acted as a lifeline to the struggling governor of the State, who, however went on to win re-election by a big margin that same day. Barabak asserts that was a sour sentiment which normally is a death knell for an unescapable.
Barabak presents a case for the aftermath of this campaign around the proposition 187. According to him, the campaign was bruising, and starkly divided the state. The punitive measure fragmented the Californians by the level of education, age, and religious beliefs. Accordingly, the republicans voted in favor with more than 3 to1while the democrats voted 2 to 1. Majority of the whites were imminently supportive however the Latinos devastatingly opposed.
As Barabak ascertains, in reconsideration, the election has acted as a pivot point, it not only changed California but also the entire country. The proposition was widely voided in the courts, however not until energizing the escalating ranks of the Latinos and tremendously damaging the image of Republican Party across California and the country at large. Barabak, analyzes the case of Sacramento to illustrate his assertion that with the rise of the numbers of Latinos the risk of deportation has been criminalized
Barabak present an interesting analysis based of both facts and opinions. When he asserts that
“In many ways, trend-setting California is again leading the country, offering a glimpse of where America might be headed in the years and decades to come, barring a successful GOP makeover. The rise of Latino power that began in response to Proposition 187 has spread eastward -- to Nevada, Colorado and Texas, among other states -- which explains the GOP's near-panic after Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's dismal 2012 performance with those voters”(Barabak “Analysis”).
He bases his argument on facts to indicate the political shift from the dominant white people to the current black people or Latinos who were at one time considered as immigrants. This article is very important as it indicates a political shift in the American politics form racial based to meritocratic system where no one is treated as a less person as was initially. I agree with Barabak that the 187 proposition has a magnificent impact in shaping the American political environment.
Works cited
Davenport Coral. “Eastern States Press Midwest to Improve Air” New York Times, 9 Dec. 2013. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. < http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/09/us/politics/eastern-states- press- midwest-to-improve-air.html?ref=politics&_r=0>
Barabak, Mark “Analysis: Immigrant-friendly laws show California's political shift.” Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2013. Web. 10. Dec. 2013. < http://articles.latimes.com/2013/oct/09/news/la-pn-immigrant-friendly-laws-california- shift-20131009>
