If Republicans or Libertarians had to vote for a Democrat for president, there’s a good chance they’d pick Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. He has many leftist positions, but he also shares a love for personal liberty, opposes Ukrainian aid, and has been an anti-vaxxer since long before anyone had heard of “Covid.”
But Republicans and Libertarians won’t be picking the Democrats’ nominee. For RFK Jr to have a chance of beating Joe Biden (or whoever the Deep State chooses to replace him), he’ll need to appeal to Democrats with leftist talking points. One area where he’s strong (from a Democrat’s perspective) and where Biden has been criticized is the environment.
Here’s an op-ed he wrote for The Hill that attempts to endear him to Democrat climate change cultists…
Biden has totally failed to curb plastics pollution; I have a plan to fix it
by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Global expansion of plastic production, especially with single-use plastics, has created a crisis for human health and the environment. President Biden has failed to confront the problem. He has focused on false environmental solutions that waste billions of taxpayer dollars, as plastic pollution rapidly gets worse.
Plastic waste is so ubiquitous that it has entered the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe and even our blood. Some of the toxic chemicals used in everyday items such as plastic packaging can cause cancer and birth defects.
Our oceans, lakes and rivers are now burdened with more than 200 million tons of plastic pollution. According to current estimates, some 11 million tons of plastic waste enter the world’s oceans every year.
As a result, the oceans are now filled with 170 trillion pieces of plastic. That’s 21,000 tiny microplastic pieces for every person on Earth. Worse, that amount is doubling approximately every six years.
We can turn it around though. There are sensible ways to manage plastic production, replace single-use plastic items with more sustainable alternatives, and overhaul our waste and recycling infrastructure. Single-use plastics are typically used for only a few minutes but leave us with waste that lasts hundreds of years.
President Biden has made vague pledges to reduce plastic waste by 2040, but he has failed to take on the big manufacturers that rack up huge profits recklessly churning out larger amounts of plastic every year. There is so much more that we can and should be doing to address this global challenge.
I have a ten-point plan to fix the problem.
First, I will support an ambitious international plastics treaty. Governments have begun negotiating a new Global Plastic Treaty, but the Biden administration has sought to reduce its ambition and scope. In my administration, the U.S. will lead the way in forging an effective treaty, instead of watering it down at the behest of lobbyists for the oil and petrochemical industries.
Second, I will act to restrict hazardous plastics and chemicals. Many dangerous and unnecessary types and uses of plastic can simply be eliminated. The recent train derailment in Ohio involved vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen used to make PVC plastic. It is time to place restrictions on the most dangerous types of plastics and chemical components.
Third, I will promote a national bottle bill. Bottle bills, sometimes called container deposit return laws, are a proven tool to reduce litter. Modernizing and expanding deposit systems with a nationwide approach would prevent billions of bottles from ending up in landfills, waterways and neighborhoods.
Fourth, I will nationally coordinate an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system for packaging. EPR reduces the burden on cities and taxpayers by requiring businesses to pay for the waste impacts of their products. EPR incentivizes low-waste business models. My administration will coordinate and harmonize state EPR policies at the federal level.
Fifth, I will move to modernize recycling facilities. Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), where residential recycling goes to be sorted, desperately need modernization. The federal government should prioritize investment to upgrade MRFs with best-in-class technologies, such as high-speed conveyors and optical sorters.
Next, I will strengthen closed-loop recycling systems. Entrepreneurs are helping to innovate new systems relying on business-to-business closed-loop recycling systems and new reuse models for appropriate types of packaging. With new government-supported incentives, clear standards, and support for modern infrastructure, we can help replace most single-use packaging.
Seventh, I will ban fracking, which provides the feedstock for most of the plastics produced in the U.S.. Fracking has proven to be devastating for rural communities, poisoning water tables. Industry has had 20 years to demonstrate that they can frack safely and responsibly, but has failed to do so.
Eighth, I will limit construction and expansion of plastic production facilities. Communities across America, often in socio-economically disadvantaged areas, have been fighting to protect themselves from plastic facilities. At a time when it is obvious that we need to reduce plastic, especially single-use items, the oil and petrochemical companies are trying to expand production. It is estimated that plastic production will triple by 2060.
Ninth, I will end subsidies for plastics producers. The fossil fuel industry gets more than $5 trillion in subsidies every year globally. We must end these subsidies and let private companies pay their own costs of doing business.
Finally, we need a major national study to evaluate all sources of plastic waste. As important as eliminating single-use plastic packaging is, there is much more to this problem. Synthetic textiles and tires are the largest sources of plastic microfibers. Fishing gear still makes up a very large portion of marine debris. There are many additional areas to be identified where we can and will take action.
As president, I will address the plastic crisis with the sense of urgency it deserves. We cannot afford four more years of Biden’s false solutions, vague promises and kowtowing to big polluters, even as plastic pollution explodes across the globe. With your support, our nation can lead the world in fixing this rapidly growing problem.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2024.
Coffee the Christian way: Promised Grounds
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
