2018 Shapes Up as Year of Decision

Although it’s not a presidential election year, there are enough controversial issues at play to make the mid-term elections of 2018 critical to the country’s future.

I hope that after a year of Donald Trump’s erratic behavior, some Trump voters are ready to change their preferences. Happily, the president seems to be shooting himself in the foot with policies that are alienating an increasing number of Americans.

Trump’s decision to open all U.S. coastlines to off-shore gas and oil drilling has met swift opposition from Republicans as well as Democrats. Trump swept aside the potential dangers to marine life, water quality, shoreline integrity, and tourism and fishing industries in favor of unlimited plunder for the gas and oil industries.

His off-shore drilling decision followed revocation of the monument status of two million acres of national parks in Utah and the opening of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The leasing of these public lands will be a boon to the extraction industries which are doing more than anything to destroy our environment and speed global warming.

The decisions by Trump’s Federal Communications Commission to revoke net neutrality and by the Justice Department to renew federal prosecutions for marijuana violations are sure to alienate millions of voters.

The impact of net neutrality’s demise may not be immediate. But you can bet that media companies would not have so aggressively lobbied for this change unless they had big profits in mind. The TV cable industry is doomed, so the media giants are shifting their profit-making to the internet. Every internet user should continue to oppose and raise hell about this rip-off.

Trump’s crackdown on weed is contrary to promises he made to leave marijuana laws up to the states. Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have laws legalizing some degree of marijuana possession or medical use. Colorado has already reaped hundreds of millions in tax revenues from marijuana sales. A Gallup poll found that 64 percent of Americans now want pot legalized so there should be big push back on this.

Here in Wisconsin, we have the opportunity to deny a third term to Governor Scott Walker, whose policies have been as divisive as those of President Trump. We can also change the face of our Congressional delegation by replacing Paul Ryan (1^st Dist.), Sean Duffy (7^th Dist.) and Mike Gallagher (8^th Dist.).

Gov. Walker has a terrible record on the environment, worker’s rights, education, prisons, women’s rights – you name it. I’m especially appalled by Walker and the state GOP’s $3 billion deal with Foxconn. Imagine how a fraction of that money could have supported home-grown business ventures. We should be outraged at how Foxconn, whose production involves hazardous materials and requires massive energy, is going to be exempt from the state’s environmental regulations.

You can help to turn things around in 2018. Volunteer for a candidate or party that you support. If you’re blessed with a decent income, donate to a candidate. Individual donations are important to counter the influence of wealthy corporate interests.

Work for organizations around the state registering new voters. Help canvas neighborhoods to raise awareness of issues and get out the vote. This year primary elections will be held February 20 and August 14 with run-offs scheduled April 3 and November 6. Make your vote count.

Jamakaya is an award-winning writer and historian based in Milwaukee.