Lazy environmentalism, the best America can do?

Are Americans grown-ups? Maniates proposes a bold concept. I have always left unquestioned the stereotype of the lazy and willfully ignorant American, numbed dumb by a life of forty plus work weeks, bleary-eyed commutes, television, shopping, and barcaloungers. Perhaps I was too arrogant with my judgment, perhaps Americans could rally to the cause, if there was one to rally to. But under this regime of corrupt politicians and multinational corporations there is no cause except the cause of consumption.* One example of this, of probable hundreds, was when Bush said, “Goodbye from the world’s biggest polluter” at the most recent G8 Summit. Not only will the American government and its proxies ruin the planet, but we will spit in your face as we do it. It is not the most rousing cry to national sacrifice ever given, except as an example of how not to be. Under the circumstances it will have to do, whether we are ready or not. It must.

*or at least the maintenance and growth of the GDP.