Republicans Need to Embrace Science for a Better Future
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The Importance of Science in Politics
This year's unexpected October Surprise wasn't a shock for those who value scientific knowledge. The fact that President Donald Trump would contract COVID-19 was entirely foreseeable, just like the reality that a higher number of Republicans than Democrats would also be affected by the virus.
Trump's futile efforts to boost the stock market by downplaying the seriousness of the virus led to outcomes that were entirely predictable. The virus found a foothold, spread widely, and ultimately reached the President himself.
Nature is a force that cannot be manipulated or bullied into submission. Our attempts to do so only lead to our own detriment.
The GOP's Reluctance to Accept Climate Science
The Republican Party continues to resist acknowledging climate change. Instead of behaving like true capitalists who welcome innovation and competition within the energy sector, they consistently align themselves with the oil industry, which has been aware since the 1970s that fossil fuel consumption contributes to global warming.
While it’s fair to criticize the Democrats as well—both parties are influenced by a small number of wealthy donors resistant to innovation—the Democrats at least acknowledge the importance of tackling climate change and generally show respect for scientific findings.
Dissecting Policy Differences
When examining the policy distinctions between Republicans and Democrats, many of these differences stem from their approaches rather than their intentions. For instance, while Fox News may incite Republicans by suggesting that Democrats are advocating for extreme measures like infanticide, the truth is that all parties aim to minimize abortions.
The disparity lies in the methods: Democrats seek to implement evidence-based strategies to reduce unintended pregnancies and enhance social programs that empower women to choose motherhood while ensuring their economic survival. This involves providing comprehensive sex education and access to affordable contraception, as opposed to the abstinence-only approach favored by Republicans.
Republican solutions often revolve around telling individuals to avoid sex unless they can financially support children or to bear children they cannot care for, then relinquish them. Such strategies ignore human behavior and prioritize a religious ideology that contradicts what empirical evidence suggests actually works.
The Consequences of Ignoring Science
Time and again, Republicans impose ideological solutions on intricate issues while dismissing the consensus of scientific experts. They establish their own scientific bodies to generate findings that conflict with the overwhelming majority of global experts and then accuse unbiased, publicly funded institutions of bias. This tactic creates a façade of scientific support that serves the interests of powerful corporations, often at the expense of the public.
In the context of COVID-19, Trump's initial dismissal of the pandemic was primarily motivated by a desire to protect the stock market, which he considered his most significant achievement. What he and his supporters failed to understand is that ignoring a pandemic does not lead to improvement. Increased infections were inevitable. Without a prompt and effective response, the economic fallout will be far more severe, leading to a deeper crisis than what could have been mitigated by adhering to public health recommendations.
Instead of following the advice of health experts, Republicans, led by Trump, protested against shutdowns, refused to wear masks in stores, and ridiculed those who adhered to health guidelines. Just one day before his diagnosis, Trump mocked Joe Biden for wearing a mask, an ironic twist given that he was likely already infected at that time.
The Reckoning of Nature
When faced with natural phenomena such as COVID-19 and climate change, consequences eventually catch up with us. This is precisely what Republicans are experiencing now with COVID-19, and it will inevitably happen on a larger scale with climate change if their anti-scientific policies persist.
For the Republican Party to remain relevant, they must undergo a fundamental transformation regarding their relationship with science. A similar transformation regarding their ideological beliefs may also be necessary, but that is a topic for another discussion.
No amount of skepticism can alter the fundamental principles of physics, chemistry, biology, and psychology that govern our reality. The misguided conflict with science must conclude, as our health, economy, and the future of life on Earth hinge on it.
Description: This video discusses the ongoing battle between the Republican Party and scientific consensus, particularly regarding environmental issues.
Description: Chris Mooney explores the Republican Party's stance on scientific issues and its implications for policy and public health.