Paul Krugman is appalled by the thought that an industry which represents a tiny percentage of GDP, even in West Virginia, has enough clout to prevent meaningful action on climate change. He’s right, of course. Why is this happening?
I saw this during last year’s Kentucky Senate campaign. To millions of voters, coal mining doesn’t mean black lung, fires, and more powerful hurricanes; it means traditional values, male camaraderie, strength, self-reliance, and prosperity. Even without climate change regulation, coal mining is effectively dead in West Virginia, but the happy aftertaste lingers, and is politically potent.
Persuading the public that hanging on to the glorious past is going to be a long and difficult task. Unfortunately, it is time we don’t have. Manchin and McConnell will have plenty to answer for in the not-so-distant future.