Americans need to demand action on protocol

I find it interesting that new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of Australia will sign the Kyoto Protocol on global warming, leaving only the United States as the only industrialized nation not to have joined it.

The Bush administration's stance is that the benchmarks required will cripple the economy. I don't believe that is likely. Isn't it time to join the global mandate and support efforts to save the planet?

As we are the biggest contributor to greenhouse gases, it is understandable that the rest of the world is looking to us for some semblance of support and cooperation.

Our arrogance and unwillingness to support this cause speaks volumes about how we perceive ourselves to be superior and, therefore exept, from participation.

Half-hearted attempts by our Democratic Congress to regulate a depressed automobile industry is just not enough. More needs to be done.

If blame needs to be assigned, it should fall squarely on the shoulders of the American people. We should kick the rears of our elected prima donnas and get something done in Congress to force the current administration to join the rest of the world and sign this protocol. Are you of the mindset that Hillary Clinton will ride in on her white horse and save the day? Think again.

LAURIE WADKINS

Priest River