WILL OBAMA FAMILY-PLANNING POLICIES SLOW POPULATION GROWTH?

With Barack Obama in the White House the doors are once again open for the U.S. to play a major role in population planning world-wide.

According to a January article by David R. Francis in The Christian Science Monitor, the nation’s family planning advocates see Obama’s policies as helping to slow the swelling world population while improving economic prosperity and political stability.

As one of his first acts as president, Obama repealed a U.S. policy that required all nongovernmental organizations that receive federal funds to refrain from performing abortions or citing abortion services offered by others. The policy was initially instituted in 1984 under President Reagan and embraced by both Bush administrations. Bill Clinton rescinded it in 1993.

In compiling the article, Francis contacted a number of proponents of population planning including David Paxson of World Population Balance, an advocacy organization located in Minneapolis, MN. Mr. Paxson has a metronome-like device on his desk “that makes 140 ticks a minute. That’s the number of people added to the world every minute, that is, births exceeding deaths. That amounts to about 200,000 people a day, with the world population headed toward 9 billion by 2050.”

The article cites the fact that the “United Nations Population Fund estimated that some 200 million worldwide would like to delay or prevent pregnancy, but are not using effective contraception. They cannot afford it or are not knowledgeable about it.” Click on the link above for the full story.

In our view, family planning is necessary, but alone it is not sufficient to achieve a sub-replacement level of fertility. For that, we need (by non-coercive incentives) to change desired family size so that couples will not have more than two children. Such a change is needed in order to halt and reverse world population growth so that it can be eventually stabilized at a sustainable level, far lower than today’s. For further details on this topic, please see The Cairo Conference on Population and Development, by NPG President Donald Mann.

FIVE REASONS

Nothing helps advance the population-control argument than to have another powerful voice join the chorus of those intent on educating America about population growth. In recent weeks, Paul B. Farrell of MarketWatch proved up to the task.

In writing about today’s economic crisis and the dilemma Congress faces in bringing entitlement spending under control in the future, Farrell comes to the proper conclusion that there are “Too many boomers and babies in this equation.”

His statement that “Yes, population is the core problem, that, unless confronted and dealt with, will render all solutions to all other problems irrelevant” hits the nail right on the head. He continues by stating, “Population is the one variable in an economic equation that impacts, aggravates, irritates and accelerates all other problems.”

While Farrell uses the extremes of Christopher Buckley’s recent novel “Boomsday!” to relate key aspects of his article, he notes that: “In short, within four decades human demands will easily double. That makes population growth the key variable in every economic equation…impacting every other major issue facing world economies…from peak oil to global warming…from foreign policy to nuclear threats…from religion to science…everything. Population is the No. 1 variable in the economic equation.”

Perhaps the most profound and notable part of Farrell’s article comes in his concluding paragraph where he quotes evolutionary geologist Jared Diamond’s Pulitzer-Prize winning “Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed.” Farrell asks: “What’s the one common reason societies, cultures, nations have collapsed across the world and throughout history?” And he quotes Diamond in his answer: Leaders “focused only on issues likely to blow up in the next 90 days,” lacking the will “to make bold, courageous, anticipatory decisions.” Their short-term thinking, unfortunately sets the stage for a rapid “sharp curve of decline.” Click here to read the full article.

This article definitely makes a strong case for NPG’s mission, which is why NPG advisor reviewed the book shortly after it was published, and we strongly recommend it to all. Click on the link above for the full story.

POPULATION AND IMMIGRATION NEWS NOTES

AN ANTI-CENSUS COMMERCE SECRETARY?

An accurate U.S. Census is critical to any and all discussions about population growth. And it is important that the U.S. Secretary of Commerce make sure it is done right.

When we prepared NPG’s “to-do” list for 2009 last year, one of our top items was to contact President Obama’s then-nominated Secretary of Commerce Bill Richardson to push for full-funding for the 2010 U.S. Census once he took up his new position. We were worried that in today’s harsh economic climate the Obama Administration might cut its budget. As it turned out, Bill Richardson withdrew from nomination. And President Obama has given a green light to even more funding for the census as part of his job-creating stimulus bill.

However, there is a new glitch that has to be monitored to see that everything goes right.

This week, WSJ.com reported that NH Senator Judd Gregg, President Obama’s new choice to head up the Commerce Department, led a move in the Senate in 1995 to eliminate the very agency he will now head. He actually voted to do away with the Commerce Department both in the Budget Committee and on the Senate floor.

What’s worse is that five years later, in 2000, Senator Gregg’s animosity toward the value of the U.S. Census came to the fore once again as he fought President Clinton’s efforts to increase funding for that year’s census.

Of course, simply conducting the U.S. Census next year is just the beginning. It is vitally important that the numbers gathered be properly crunched and reported. Major deficiencies will mean that vital programs dependant on the census count are not shortchanged. NPG will definitely monitor this issue in the coming months to make sure that Senator Gregg – soon to be Secretary Gregg – does not permit his personal dislike for the U.S. Census to impact any parts of this valuable operation.

POPULATION AND POLITICS

The two issues of population and politics converge every day in a million ways. However, once every ten years, population takes center stage when it comes to political redistricting. New political maps are drawn in every city, county and state following the U.S. Census and states must redraw their Congressional districts to ensure equal representation in our nation’s democratic forums.

For decades political redistricting has been a boon or bane to both Republicans and Democrats depending on which party controlled the Governors’ office and respective state legislatures in each state. Many partisan politicians live for the opportunity every ten years to wield extraordinary power as they slice up Congressional districts and state legislative districts to favor one party over the other. Whichever political party has the most clout traditionally draws districts to exclude incumbents of the opposing party or protect their own incumbents, thus maximizing their victories for the next decade.

While the process has always been flawed, it has gotten worse in the computer age. Today, voters’ political affiliation can be readily identified and political maps drawn that take into consideration the political voting habits of almost every square block. The result is usually crazy-quilt looking legislative maps where groups of voters are strategically moved around like pieces on a chessboard.

Essentially, all of this is gerrymandering (named after Elbridge Gerry, the Massachusetts governor who introduced the practice in 1812) and is very harmful to our nation. Indeed, in today’s highly divisive and partisan political system, it has gotten to the point where many elected leaders now get to chose the voters they prefer vs. the other way around, where the voters are supposed to choose their leaders.

What’s the solution? Some states have tossed gerrymandering aside and moved to bipartisan commissions which operate under strict criteria for ensuring future competitive elections. Other states are considering this concept. The commission is usually chaired by an independent with an equal number of Democrats and Republicans. It is charged with the task to draw new maps without considering political registration numbers or the voting history of an area – only population is supposed to matter.

NPG endorses more states taking this route. In doing so, it will ensure that we continually have strongly contested elections where the results aren’t known before the first votes are cast and where issues are soundly discussed. A return to such competitive races will make it much more possible for new people to enter the political system, get elected, and bring innovative ideas and new thinking to local, state and federal politics. It’s time to move into the 21st century and put an end to 19th century practices that hold our democracy hostage to political chicanery.

ANOTHER CALL FOR A COMMISSION ON THE FUTURE

As part of NPG’s educational mission we constantly point out that ignoring America’s soaring population means that future generations will have to pay a huge price – economically, socially and environmentally – to accommodate vast numbers of new people in the years ahead.

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation recently bought a full page ad in The Washington Post with the headline, “Today’s economic crisis is just the tip of the iceberg.” The text of the ad called on the Obama Administration to put together an action-oriented bipartisan commission that would take a stark, realistic look at our looming economic crisis and “engage the American people, consider all options, and make sensible recommendations that would be guaranteed to be put to a vote in Congress. The Peterson Foundation built their ad around one alarming fact: “We must also focus on a much larger yet less visible threat: the $56 trillion in liabilities and unfunded retirement and health care obligations (that’s $483,000 per U.S. household), and the dangerous reliance on foreign lenders, that threatens our ship of state.”

NPG was first with a push for a similar recommendation last year when we put forth the idea that Congress must create a U.S. Commission on Population Growth. We believe such a Commission should be all-encompassing and study and report on a far broader scope how tens of millions of new people added to our population in the next decades will severely impact all aspects of our nation – not just the economy.

However we end up studying this issue we all know right now that the price tag for a ballooning population is going to be astronomical. It’s not too late to enact sound policies that will halt, and eventually reverse, our current population growth.

HOW BIG IS A TRILLION DOLLARS?

As debate rages in Congress about a new stimulus bill that some envision will cost as much as a trillion dollars (when you add in the interest) it is valuable to remind one and all just how much money we are talking about.

The Heritage Foundation recently noted: “The trillion-dollar mega debt plan in Congress dwarfs India’s economy [$1.171 trillion]. The $825 billion “stimulus” part is bigger than Australia’s [$822 billion]. The interest alone leaves Denmark in the dust [$308 billion].”

GEORGIA COAST COUNTY SEES POPULATION SURGE

Most people think of Savannah, GA, as a quiet, well-preserved city tucked in the southeast corner of Georgia where it is possible to escape to the graciousness of the past and where things move at a bit slower pace than most areas. Well, the truth is that Savannah is still a beautiful tourist destination but “slow” is a word that certainly does not fit when it comes to the issue of population growth.

In short, Savannah and its environs have become a “hot” destination – and we’re not talking about its sultry, humid summer days.

Using the results from its American Community Survey, the U.S. Census recently stated that Effingham County just to the north of Savannah ranks as the nation’s sixth fastest-growing mid-size county from 2000 to 2007. In 2000, Effingham County’s population totaled 37,535 and its 2007 numbers came in as 50,728 – a 35% surge in just seven years. Even more shocking is that a quick check of the 2008 World Almanac puts Effingham County’s 1990 population at 25,687 meaning the population has doubled in size in just 17 years.

EPA SUED ON CHESAPEAKE BAY POLLUTION

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the principle group fighting to save America’s largest estuary, has filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency in federal court. The suit asks for stricter enforcement of the Clean Water Act.

The suit is based on EPA’s failure to curb pollution in “impaired” locations and the Foundation notes that eighty-five percent of the bay fits this description.

In filing the suit, William Baker, CBF’s president, noted that the federal government and the EPA have failed in their efforts to regulate sewage treatment plants that empty into the bay, have been lax in permitting too many permits governing the amount of storm water runoff from development and have allowed excessive emissions from area power plants, whose nitrogen pollutes the bay.
NPG worked hard in recent years to activate citizens and students living in and around the Chesapeake to speak up and work to halt destructive population growth in the area, and wholeheartedly applauds CBF’s actions.

305,529, 237 AND COUNTING

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the nation’s projected population stood at 305,529,237 on New Year’s Day. It is estimated that in January 2009, there will be one birth every eight seconds and one death every 12 seconds. Immigration is expected to add one person every 36 seconds.

INSULT TO TAXPAYERS

The Washington Post reported in early January that the Bush administration awarded a $61,200 bonus to Border Patrol Chief David V. Aguilar – the very man who has been criticized by members of Congress for delays in building a $20 million border fence project and for an “accelerated hiring program that auditors said threatens to reduce qualified field supervisors.” Aguilar received a “no confidence” vote from the union representing non-supervisory agents. NPG is hopeful that the Obama administration will be more prudent in handing out any comparable bonuses in the future. At least they should check to see if the person did their job. Please watch for NPG updates and ways to help.

NPG NOTES

HUNDREDS OF NPG MEMBERS SIGN THEIR NAMES TO NATIONAL ADS

Last fall NPG asked its members to step forth and help us get the message out that “WE CAN’T AFFORD A NATION OF TOO MANY PEOPLE.”
The request was simple: add their name to an NPG ad with the above headline that would appear in a national publication along with one of the prize-winning images from our recent NPG Student Poster Contest.

We are pleased to say that the ads are now running complete with hundreds of names of concerned NPG members who speak for millions of citizens in demanding that Congress adopt a National Population Policy.

4TH ANNUAL NPG STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST

NPG’s 4th Annual Student Scholarship Contest challenges participants to write an insightful letter addressed to our nation’s elected leaders (Members of Congress) outlining the need for them to address the critical issue of population growth before it is too late. The contest is open to all high school seniors and undergraduate college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. Letters are due by April 24, 2009. NPG will judge the entries, and winners of the $2,000, $1,000 and $500 scholarships will be announced in July. In a new twist this year, NPG will make sure that copies of the letters from students participating in the contest are forwarded to their respective Congressman on Capitol Hill. We feel it is beneficial for legislators to understand that this is a very important issue to today’s youth.

QUOTABLE

“But 4.3 million residents have moved into the Chesapeake’s watershed since 1980, a population increase of 34 percent. Each one brought pollution.”

Richard Batiuk
Assoc. Director for Science
EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office

“… If we don’t reduce population voluntarily, starvation, wars or pandemics will take care of the situation for us. It’s inevitable that something will happen. No population of any kind can expand indefinitely…
… Humans need open space. We need some semblance of a natural world for our well-being and our peace of mind. Ideally, all the small towns in Orange County [CA] would have purchased greenbelts around their communities, strips of protected native landscape to separate one town from another. But if we build on all of the remaining land, there will be nothing left for wildlife, nothing left on which to grow our food for our ever-increasing population, and nothing left for the open space that humans need to stay emotionally healthy.”

Vic Leipsig and Lou Murray
Huntington Beach Independent

“ With all of the problems and challenges that our economy and nation and our world face, one that you don’t hear about all that often lurks in the background, with the potential to undo anything we do to try to fix the other ills: population growth…
…The haves and have-nots are much more likely to be at odds over food, energy and water, conflicts that could make today’s skirmishes around the globe look like powder-puff boxing. That argues that it is not only critical to get the global economy back on track but also get it on a sustainable track that spreads the wealth.

The question is whether we will see this long-term threat and find wise solutions amid all our short-term flailing at immediate problems.”

Steve Kerch
Assistant Managing Editor/Personal Finance
MarketWatch.com

WHY THE NPG JOURNAL?

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The NPG Journal (offered free to all recipients) exists to give more widespread distribution to timely news stories and articles related to population, immigration, environmental and political issues that currently affect our daily life -- or have the potential to seriously impact our future.

We realize not all news stories covering population issues will reflect NPG policies and goals. One of our main purposes in creating the NPG Journal is to expose these items to a wider audience, and to draw attention to the fact that so many articles speak to immigration and population issues but often fail to address the central cause of many problems – TOO MANY PEOPLE.

Ultimately, NPG would like to see writers at all levels make the obvious (to us, at least) connection between environmental and resource problems and the growing number of people in both the United States and the world. Unfortunately, most do not. To that end, we comment as necessary to help our readers see those links in hopes they will continue to speak out on what we deem to be the most pressing issue of our time – population size and growth.

NPG President Donald Mann offers his personal insight and commentary on individual stories, especially those that challenge, confirm and/or complement our NPG Research and Forum Papers. The goal of the NPG Journal is to greatly expand NPG’s educational mission. NPG’s activities continue to emphasize the need for Americans to speak up on population issues and keep our nation – especially our elected leaders on the national, state and local level – focused on taking action to help resolve today’s immigration crisis and work to halt, and eventually reverse America’s out-of-control population growth.

We welcome your feedback to articles posted on the NPG Journal and urge you to forward us the e-mail address of friends you think would like to receive a complimentary copy of the NPG Journal on a bi-weekly basis. Contact us at www.npg.org.

 

ABOUT NPG:

Negative Population Growth, Inc. (NPG) is a national nonprofit membership organization with over 30,000 members nationwide. It was founded in 1972 to educate the American public and political leaders about the devastating effects of overpopulation on our environment, resources, and standard of living. We believe that our nation is already vastly overpopulated in terms of the long-range carrying capacity of its resources and environment.