A Single Issue

Until I became heavily involved in environmental activism I really had no respect for people who identified themselves as single-issue voters.  In my mind a vote couldn’t be placed for a candidate just because they believed in one of the things you held dear.  I would always counter with “Well, what if a candidate was for ______, but against ________.  How can you decide which is more important?”  I have come to realize that the scenarios I threw at people were not only unfair, but also unrealistic; and honestly at times an issue really is that important.  For me, that issue has become the issue of mountaintop removal mining.  The first thing I look at now when I see a candidate is a specific statement on MTR, if that’s not there I look at their environmental stance and try to make a decision based on what they broadly believe.  Sometimes I have to make a decision between two candidates because, usually, neither is very good; but in the upcoming Democratic primary for the West Virginia senate seat, the decision is, in my mind, a clear one.

Ken Hechler is currently running against current Governor Joe Manchin for the Democratic nomination and I, honestly, know nothing about either of their politics, except for this: Ken Hechler has stated he is running to give people a chance to publicly vote against MTR by voting for him; conversely, Joe Manchin is deeply committed to the presence of the coal industry, and MTR in particular, in West Virginia.  I cannot vote in West Virginia, and I don’t know if many people who will see this post will have the chance; but if you can vote in this race, or know someone who can, please put your voice in for Ken Hechler.

Governor Joe Manchin does not care about the destruction that MTR wreaks upon his state, or its people.  He has remained committed to furthering the hold which the coal industry has over the West Virginian economy, and refused to listen to citizens directly affected by MTR.  Last year 6 other young activists and myself were arrested because we refused to leave his waiting area until he took action to stop blasting on one mountaintop.  One single mountaintop which could have provided wind energy, clean alternatives, and more jobs; yet Mr. Manchin refused to act, saying, falsely, that he had no power to stop the permit.   The practice of MTR destroys communities, it destroys lives, and it devastates an invaluable environment.  Mr. Manchin runs as a Democrat, but defies the stereotype that the Democratic party is full of bleeding-hearts; it seems that he cares more about placating King Coal than caring for his people and he doesn’t deserve a position with more power to reward his heartlessness.

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