{"id":18692,"date":"2020-10-01T11:13:48","date_gmt":"2020-10-01T16:13:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greenheart.org\/blog\/uncategorized\/\/"},"modified":"2020-10-01T11:13:48","modified_gmt":"2020-10-01T16:13:48","slug":"vote-common-ground-issues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greenheart.org\/blog\/greenheart-international\/vote-common-ground-issues\/","title":{"rendered":"Vote! Common Ground Issues"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you care about issues like taking care of the environment and of each other<\/span><\/b>, you are not alone. I<\/span><\/b>t is critical<\/span><\/b> that you vote in the November General Election!<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Contrary to the way it<\/span> often s<\/span>eems in the polarized environment<\/span> we live in, <\/span>the majority of Americans–regardless of political party affiliation–agree<\/strong> on climate change, the environment, social\/income inequality, health care, and immigration. These are not partisan issues. These are issues that matter to our daily lives, our travel hopes and dreams, and our health and well-being.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The essence<\/span> of democracy is majority rule. <\/span>If you care about the<\/span>se<\/span> issues that a majority of Americans\u00a0 – Republicans, Democrats and Independents \u2013 agree on, then <\/span>prepare now<\/span><\/b> to vote in the <\/span>General Election on<\/span> or before<\/span> Tuesday, November <\/span>3<\/span>rd<\/span>, according to your state\u2019s <\/span>voting rules and <\/span>guideline<\/span>s.<\/span> Please visit <\/span>V<\/span>ote.org <\/span><\/a>for all the details on voting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finding common ground<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes it\u2019s hard to talk to someone with completely different views on issues. <\/span>However, there are many areas where <\/strong><\/em><\/span>the majority of<\/strong><\/em> Americans AGREE<\/strong><\/em>. Start conversations. Listen. <\/span>Fact check and share data. <\/span>Be kind, yet firm in standing up for the issues that matter to you, to humanity, and <\/span>to <\/span>the peaceful exchange of ideas<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Climate Change and the Environment:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a new survey conducted in August by Resources for the Future and Stanford University<\/a><\/span>, over 80% of American adults believe that the climate has warmed over the past 100 years, and that human activity is responsible. Of those surveyed, 76% <\/span>believe that global temper<\/span>atures will continue to rise over<\/span> the next 100 years.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a Pew Research Center survey taken in May 2020<\/a>, 65 percent of Americans agree that<\/span><\/b> the U.S. Government should be doing more<\/span><\/b> to reduce the effects of cli<\/span><\/b>mate change on our environment.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n\"\"\n

80% <\/span>of Americans agree<\/span> there should be tougher restrictions o<\/span>n power plant carbon emissions, a<\/span>nd 84% agree there s<\/span>hould be incentives for developing carbon <\/span>capture and storage technology and renewable energy sources.<\/span> 71% of Americans agree <\/span>that <\/span>automobile <\/span>fuel efficiency standards <\/span>should be tougher<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Such overwhelming agreement on climate change and the environment transcends partisan politics and political party affiliation.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Social<\/span><\/b>\/Economic<\/span><\/b> Inequality:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2019 the World Bank<\/a> ranked the U.S. as having one of the highest inequalities of wealth distribution in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to a study<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>conducted by the University of California \u2013 Berk<\/span>e<\/span>ley, i<\/span>n 2018, the average effective tax rate paid by the rich<\/span>est 400 families in the U.S. <\/span>was 23 percent, a full percentage <\/span>point lower than the 24.2 percent rate paid by the bottom half of American households.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 1980, by contrast, the 400 richest families<\/span> had an effective tax rate of<\/span> 47 percent. In 1960, it <\/span>was as high as 56 percent. The effective tax rate paid by the bottom 50 percent, by contrast, has changed little over time.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>A Pew Research Center study published in January<\/a> <\/span><\/b>found that <\/span><\/b>61% of Americans agree that social and economic inequality in the U.S. is a major problem.<\/span><\/b> And according to a <\/span><\/b>M<\/span><\/b>o<\/span><\/b>nmouth<\/span><\/b> University <\/span><\/b>poll <\/span><\/b><\/a>published in early July, m<\/span><\/b>o<\/span><\/b>re than 65 percent of Americans say<\/span><\/b> racial and ethnic discrimination<\/span><\/b>, a cause of social and economic inequality,<\/span><\/b> is a <\/span><\/b>big problem in the U.S<\/span><\/b>.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\"\"\n

Among those who agree that social\/economic <\/span>in<\/span>equality is a problem, t<\/span>here is broad<\/span> nonpartisan support for a solution. <\/span>84% of Americans<\/span><\/b> who believ<\/span><\/b>e economic inequality is a <\/span><\/b>problem agree that part of the<\/span><\/b> solution should be to raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans<\/span><\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Americans\u2019 overwhelming agreement on a solution to social and economic inequality transcends partisan politics and political party affiliation.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Health Care:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Closely aligned with social\/economic equality is the issue of health care. Social\/economic equality cannot be realized unless all people have a<\/span>ccess to health care coverage that is affordable to them. Affordable health care coverage does not mean free health care coverage. Many Americans are pleased with their current health care coverage. It may also be necessary<\/span> to provide essential health care<\/span> for the poorest <\/span>and most vulnerable <\/span>among us.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to a Commonwealth Fund Healthcare poll conducted in June,<\/a> three months into the COVID-19 pandemic,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>74% of Americans \u2013 81% of Democrats\/leaning Democrat and 65% of Republicans\/leaning Republican \u2013 agree that all Americans should have the option of securing health insurance coverage through government-regulated and subsidized health plans. <\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\"\"\n

Only 4% of Americans believe in no Government involvement of any<\/span> kind in assuring all Americans, <\/span>including the elderly and the poor, <\/span>have health care coverage.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

American<\/span>s broadly agree on a fundamental belief that the Government has a responsibility to assure that all Americans have access to health <\/span>c<\/span>are coverage.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Such overwhelming agreement on the government\u2019s responsibility in assuring that all Americans have access to health care coverage transcends partisan politics and political party affiliation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

Immigration:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although the majority of Americans support a temporary ban on immigration to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the<\/span>\u00a0majority of Americans \u2013 77% – agree that immigration is good for the country.<\/a><\/span><\/b> Only 19% believe that immigration is bad for the country.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\"\"\n

Americans\u2019 consensus on immigration policy transcends partisan politics and political party affiliation.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

American<\/span><\/b>s<\/span><\/b>\u2019<\/span><\/b> perception of the direction of our country:<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

According to six <\/span>different <\/span>polls compiled<\/span> by <\/span>RealClear<\/span><\/a>Politics on August 25, only 26% of Americans agree that the country<\/span> is headed in the right direction<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n\"\"\n

68% of Americans believe the country is on the wrong track.<\/b> Lack of government action that aligns with majority positions on the issues can be considered<\/em> a major cause.<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What can WE<\/span><\/b> do about it?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At Greenheart, <\/span>these issues \u2013 the environment, immigration, and social and income equality <\/span>– <\/span>are intrinsic to our mission,<\/span> vision, <\/span>and programs <\/span>as catalysts for improving the lives of people everywhere.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you<\/b> are passionate about one or more<\/b> of <\/b>the issues that <\/b><\/em>most Americans agree on, <\/b>PLEASE <\/b>VOTE!\u00a0<\/b>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

With over 80 million eligible voters, the 18-34 year-old age bracket is the largest voting block going into the November General Election. You can decide the future direction of our country for you, your children, and your children\u2019s children. You have the power!<\/p>\n

Vote for candidates who share your world-view and who will enact legislation that represents the beliefs and views of a majority of Americans.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Voting can be less complicated<\/span> than you might think! <\/span>If <\/span>you or someone you know<\/span> needs to register<\/span> to vote<\/span> or confirm <\/span>your <\/span>registration<\/span>,<\/span> or request an absentee<\/span> or mail-in<\/span> ballot, <\/span>https:\/\/www.vote.org\/<\/span><\/a> is easy to navigate and <\/span>has all those tools for every state. The site also has a\u202f<\/span>state-by-state local resource list<\/span><\/a>\u202fwith the state websites and forms for each step<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, i<\/span><\/b>t is anticipated that <\/span><\/b>a record number<\/span><\/b> of Americans will vote by ma<\/span><\/b>il. If you are one of them, be<\/span><\/b> sure to follow the instructions for your state\u2019s ballot carefully and sign your ballot if required. <\/span><\/b>Most importan<\/span><\/b>tly, be sure to<\/span><\/b> mail<\/span><\/b> your ballot <\/span><\/b>in <\/span><\/b>before Election Day if possible, to assure that it will be counted.\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Share this information with <\/span>your rel<\/span>atives, friends and associates, and encourage them to vote as early as possible. <\/span>Make a plan<\/span> to <\/span>go <\/span>vote<\/span>. Make it an event! Go<\/span> with a friend. J<\/span>ust please vote.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can make change happen if you vote! You cannot make change happen if you do not vote! <\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Voting is the most important thing you can do<\/em><\/span><\/b> to make sure your voice is heard, and<\/b> to assure the fundamental democratic princ<\/b>ipal of majority rule drives the U.S.<\/b><\/em> legislative agenda.<\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Greenheart International Board of Directors and Leadership Team\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you care about issues like taking care of the environment and of each other, you are not alone. It is critical that you vote in the <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37188,"featured_media":18694,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[218,215],"tags":[330,373,324,85,376,375,374,372,371],"class_list":["post-18692","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-greenheart-international","category-greenheart-travel","tag-climate-change","tag-common-ground","tag-environment","tag-greenheart-travel","tag-health-care","tag-immigration","tag-inequality","tag-usa-election","tag-vote"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/greenheart.org\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18692","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/greenheart.org\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/greenheart.org\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greenheart.org\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/37188"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greenheart.org\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18692"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/greenheart.org\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18692\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greenheart.org\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/18694"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/greenheart.org\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18692"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greenheart.org\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18692"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greenheart.org\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18692"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}