RUTHFULLY YOURS

 There may be a reason to do away with separation of powers, and to abandon our economic liberties. There may be a reason to allow privately hired “special assistant attorneys general,” and for state AGs to investigate political opponents at the request of the plaintiff’s tort bar.

“Climate,” however, isn’t that reason. We have vastly more to fear from climate policy than we do from climate change.

Among the two, only one is inevitable. Of course, as a Chinese proverb goes, when there is food on the table there are many problems; when there is no food on the table, there is but one. With lots of food on Americans’ tables, it does seem likely that some voters will become open once again to policies in the name of “climate.”

While environmental concerns have increased overall, partisanship continues to be a major factor in attitudes about the environment and climate change. Since 2017, virtually all the increase in the share of Americans saying global climate change should be a top priority has come among Democrats. Still, members of both parties are more likely to rate protecting the environment a top policy priority than did so a year ago, though this continues to be a much higher priority for Democrats than Republicans.

The national survey by Pew Research Center, conducted Jan. 8-13 on cellphones and landlines among 1,504 adults, finds that defending the country against terrorism remains a top priority among the public overall, as has been the case since 2002.

The demands are already here. Campaign season is about to go full-on nuts. Orgiastic media coverage awaits when Earth Day turns 50 in April. Then withdrawal from the Paris climate treaty looms (it is a treaty, and the rule of law respect for institutions demands we consummate our withdrawal or the Senate can kiss its Article II, Sec. 2 treaty role goodbye).

Bitterly cling to the facts above in the coming months. A lot is at stake.