Attention, average citizens: If you don't believe that trace amounts of CO2 will cause "mass migrations", you're allegedly suffering from "a massive amount of ignorance"

I count the word "former" no fewer than 16 times in this short article.  Why don't we hear more about the alleged stupidity of voters from current politicians, especially from those who are facing close elections sometime soon?

Push to address climate change - POLITICO.com

Unless precautionary steps are taken, they warn that “climate change impacts abroad could spur mass migrations, influence civil conflict and ultimately lead to a more unpredictable world.”
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“To a large extent, it’s an education issue for the masses, not just for the elected officials who may not care or may not want good information,” former Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Md.) said at a Capitol Hill event rolling out the letter.

“There’s a massive amount of ignorance on the part of political leaders and the average citizen as to what climate change is, as to really what a sustainable marketplace is,” added Gilchrest, who co-founded a congressional climate change caucus with former Rep. John Olver (D-Mass.).

Former Clinton administration CIA Director James Woolsey added that even if some don’t believe the causes of climate change, there is no doubt that problems will continue to cascade in poorer nations and in turn, cause problems for the U.S.

“Potential consequences are undeniable, and the cost of inaction, paid for in lives and valuable U.S. resources, will be staggering,” the officials say in the letter. “Washington must lead on this issue now.”