Enfield Democrats Surge in Fundraising as GOP Treads Water

Image
  A recent protest in Enfield, part of the nationwide "Good Trouble Lives On," in honor this month of the late Congressman John Lewis. More than 1,600 rallies were held nationwide.  The local Democrats are off to a good start in fundraising for this year’s local election. In the second quarter of this year, the Enfield Democratic Town Committee raised $13,911 from April through June— outpacing Republicans nearly 9-to-1 , according to state campaign finance filings. The Enfield Republican Town Committee raised just $1,583 during the same period. Democrats began the quarter with a negative balance of –$1,294, but raised enough to erase their debts and finish with $7,092 in the bank. Republicans hold the cash advantage Despite the strong Democratic quarter, Republicans still hold a cash-on-hand advantage, thanks to a $12,911 reserve they carried into the quarter. They ended the period with $14,300 in the bank. But when it comes to momentum and new donor activity, Democrats clear...
Post a Comment

The three phases of climate change conversion

Bushnell Park, Hartford, May, 2019

Unless you live on the shore, climate change in Connecticut isn't all that noticeable. Spring still seems like a spring. A little wetter, perhaps, but people don't associate an increase in precipitation with a changing climate.

The most noticeable impact may winter's polar vortex. Polar air that is otherwise blocked off by the jet stream breaks free and plunges south. But our single digit cold is nothing like what the people in the Midwest experience. Most people don't consider these low temperatures far outside the usual.

But awareness that something is changing is arriving, slowly still.

The average person who truly understands what's happening goes through a life-altering climate change conversion that comes in three phases.

First, they may be aware of the issue, recognize it's something of problem, and generally agree on the need to end use of fossil fuels. They may even know what the Keeling Curve is. But it's not an urgent issue. The TV meteorologists rarely mention it. 

The second phase of this conversion involves a growing awareness. They are learning more about coral reef declines. They notices the headlines about fish migration to colder waters and the threats to species. The flooding and fires has their attention. They realize Miami won't survive rising waters, and they begin to do some serious reading. Their interest deepens.

What happens next -- the climate change conversion -- happens in a moment and hits with horrifying force and visceral fear. They now understand how serious it is and what it means for the future. It changes how they see the world each and every day and they are now sick with fear over what the children will face. They get the Green New Deal, and wonder if it's anywhere near enough. America is still somewhere in phase one, if that.

Once you have this climate change conversion, nothing will seem the same again. A good spring day no longer seems like just a nice day. It seems like something very precious and on the verge of being lost for good. 

Comments

Post a Comment