Climate hostage to campaign finance system

The Heritage Foundation's plan for Republicans to dismantle efforts to slow global warming is a vivid example of huge money flows overturning science and the public interest.

This is happening despite decades­long virtual unanimity of climate scientists - including Exxon's own climate scientists - that burning fossil fuels causes global warming; despite evidence everywhere that scientists' dire predictions were remarkably accurate; and despite every indication that climate is on course to continue worsening.

Fossil fuel companies are hauling in billions of dollars in profits and pouring millions into political campaigns - mostly to Republicans - to block the United States from acting against climate change. This is a cornerstone of the Heritage Foundation's plan and an outrage against reality.

Politicians benefiting from these contributions and fixated on winning elections vote the fossil fuel way even while witnessing climate disruption.

Our campaign finance system permits super-wealthy interests with their millions in contributions to have a hugely outsized influence on who runs, who wins and what government does. Fossil fuel interests are doing the same thing as tobacco, gun, chemical, pharmaceutical, insurance and financial interests to override the public interest for their private gain.

Mainstream media are replete with reporting, editorials, op-eds and letters to the editor about the threats from climate change but say little about how our campaign finance system enables fossil fuel companies and other big donors.

Public funding of election campaigns has worked well at the city, county and state levels. It democratizes campaign funding and makes it more likely that government decisions are based on merit and the public interest and not distorted by big contributions.

Richard Barsanti

Western Springs