Rucinski has already done us service by making push on climate change

Re “His issue is climate change’’ (Metro, July 20) by Nestor Ramos: Gary Rucinski, who is challenging Joe Kennedy III in the Democratic primary, is quite correct in the principle that so clearly underlies his campaign: It is unacceptable for the issue of climate change to be campaigned upon the least. It is, after all, the issue that before long may affect us all the most. The Carbon Fee and Dividend plan that Rucinski advocates is a type of carbon tax — a climate change solution that has proved enticing to influential conservatives. Along with George Schultz, fellow former secretary of state James Baker is a loud advocate for carbon pricing.

However, what impresses us most is the respectful tone with which Rucinski engages politically. On the media frenzy surrounding Trump, Rucinski says, “Let other people worry about that. My focus is on climate change.’’ Good for him — keep that laser focus.

Rucinski has been noted elsewhere for praising Kennedy — his opponent — for his leadership on health care, the opioid crisis, and education. The comment from Kennedy’s spokeswoman that Rucinski’s voice and message are welcome on the campaign trail indicates that the appreciation is mutual. By running a respectful campaign around a concrete policy objective, Rucinski has already done us all a great service.

Judy Palken

Northborough

Dan Palken

Boulder, Colo.

Every candidate should have his eye on Trump’s ‘clown car’ moves

Thank you, Nestor Ramos, for highlighting Gary Rucinski’s run in the Fourth Congressional District Democratic primary against Joe Kennedy III. The plan Rucinski supports, the Carbon Fee and Dividend, is the kind of practical, timely solution we need against the threat of climate catastrophe.

I would only quibble with Rucinski on one point — that he would “let other people worry about’’ the “clown car’’ of Donald Trump’s presidency. I agree with him mainly — the daily tweets from the White House distract us from important issues. But we need to pay attention to who or what is “driving’’ that clown car — namely, the fossil fuel industry, and especially a major fossil fuel producer, Russia.

In fact, Vladimir Putin made a clear statement at the infamous Helsinki press conference, that “we as a major oil and gas power, and the United States as a major oil and gas power as well, we could work together on regulation of international markets.’’ No mention was made of working together to reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. If Putin and the fossil fuel industry are driving the clown car, they will drive us all right over the climate cliff.

Mary Memmott

Framingham