Dear Editor,

On April 21, 2018, many of us spent the day tabling at the Earth Day celebration out at Bluegrass Community and Technical College. One of the tables was devoted to registering new voters.

One complaint frequently heard is that “there is no difference between the two parties.” Actually nothing could be further from the truth.

Democrats supported America’s signing onto the Paris Environmental Pact. Republicans pulled us out of the pact, making us the lone country on earth to do so.

Democrats have consistently expanded and protected national monuments, wildlife refuges and national parks. Republicans drastically reduced the size of some national monuments, approved oil drilling in ANWR, and want to privatize national parks.

Democrats passed a law requiring that oil and gas and mining companies report methane emissions that contribute to global warming; Republicans rescinded these regulations.

Democrats passed laws forbidding oil, gas and energy companies from maintaining waste ponds that kill migratory birds. Republicans rescinded these regulations.

Democrats passed laws protecting game animals from hunting while in their winter dens and raising their young. Republicans changed these laws to allow the murder of hibernating animals in their dens.

Democrats passed laws forbidding coal companies from dumping mining waste and refuse into rivers and streams. Republicans passed legislation revoking the rule.

Democrats got Social Security and Medicare legislation passed. Republicans voted against both measures and now want to cut Medicare and privatize Social Security.

Democrats passed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to protect consumers from rapacious banks, credit card issuers and payday lenders. Republicans have reduced the functions of the agency to near zero.

Republicans claim to be “The party of financial responsibility.” In actuality, the Republicans just passed a tax cut that gives 83 percent of tax cuts to corporations and the already rich, which will blow up the deficit by $2 trillion! 

I could go on and on if space allowed but I think you get the idea. Republicans don’t appear to be for anything. But they are against the interests of ordinary Americans and are hell bent on destroying the legacy of America’s first black president.

Jim Porter

Danville