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Thanks for this post. Interesting how Bush wants to veto anything green in this bill.
I support a coalition that is urging Congress to establish a strong, clean energy bill for 2007. This includes the inclusion of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard of 35 mpg by 2020 and Renewable Electricity Standard.
Please sign this petition and pass it on:
http://www.energybill2007.org
Cheers,
Lorna Li | Green 2.0
http://lornali.com
Hi Lorna,
How did you find our site? We support the bill but there are some very bad provisions in it that need to be eliminated.
Like your sites. You are busy.
Hi Norris,
Thanks for the recognition - yes, I am uber-busy. I found you through Google Blogsearch.
I definitely believe that whatever provisions are in the bill need to best reflect the long-term interests of American people, and not big industry.
Cheers,
Lorna
So you are anti big industry? But doesn't big industry provide the lifestyle that the American people want? Big industry isn't the one burning up 20 million barrels of oil every day....it is the American people.
Hi Norris,
I personally favor strong local economies and small industries, walking cities and town commons. Small family owned farms, versus huge agri-business. Homegrown, renewable energy versus foreign oil dependence.
Big business skews towards profit maximization for shareholders, all the while squeezing the rank and file, and seeking cheap labor overseas to lower the bottom line. You see this a lot with multi-national companies that outsource call centers to India for example, manufacturing to China, Vietnam, and Cambodia (Latin America is too expensive these days). This does not benefit the American people.
The people who benefit are overwhelmingly corporate executives and shareholders. Ordinary American people lose their jobs.
I think most Americans don't have much of a choice about burning up oil - our nation is built around highways. In many places, you can't even get food without having to get in a car and get on the highway. Not having a car simply isn't a choice, if you care to have a basic, dignified standard of living in this country.
I think that U.S. legislature disproportionally supports big industry, to the expense of ordinary people. For example, in 1922, General Motors dismantled mass transit across the U.S., bought up trolley systems through its subsidiary National City lines, gutted them and tore up all the tracks. GM joined tire manufacturers, construction companies, and oil companies to lobby for Congress for development of a national highway system. It helped that GM's president Charles Wilson became secretary of defense and Frances DuPont became the federal highway administrator. Thus America became a nation of drivers. Were government and industry acting in the interests of ordinary Americans? Hmmm.
Who should take responsibility for reducing our oil consumption - an addiction, which in my opinion contributes to global warming, environmental destruction, and conflicts overseas?
A gas tax would reduce oil consumption, but the onus of reduced consumption is placed on American consumers and a higher cost. No more $ for movies, eating out, etc. A reduction in consumer spending would certainly affect our economy as a whole.
No, I think it would be great for automakers to step up to the plate. And in long run, greater fuel efficiency would be better for the U.S. auto-industry. As gas prices continue to go up, inefficient American cars will be less desirable than foreign cars. The auto-industry will be forced to downsize - massive layoffs will happen. Refusing to take responsibility for greater fuel efficiency now only allows corporate execs and shareholders to buy more time to reap more profits, at the long term expense of ordinary Americans.
Anyways, that's my opinion - take it or leave it. I will step off my soapbox now!
Hi Lorna,
Wow. And quite a soapbox it is. Where do I begin. Our national highway system is one of the great wonders of the world, not some negative creation of greedy corporate shareholders. One can get in his car right now and drive from coast to coast. That is not a bad thing. That is a very very good thing. And it enhances interstate commerce. So we oppose gas taxes.
Now don't get me wrong, I like the description of the small, walkable neighborhood oriented living you described, and that does exist to a certain extent is many places, but Americans chose the suburban way, not corporate America. American citizens chose to purchase the automobiles to complement the suburban lifestyle. Corporate Big business and multinational corporations did not force them into these suburban homes and cars.
Would you seek to impose your way over their way? Take away the right for them to have the McMansion and the Navigator? Many people WANT these items. And don't they have the Constitution right to acquire them if they so choose?
Unfortunately, renewable energy simply cannot dependably provide the electricity we need 24/7/365. And Americans demand that the electricity works when they get home. No excuses from the utility company.
We do not believe in using price as a conservation tool. Not only will it hurt the poor and middle class but will destroy the US economy. America runs best on abundant affordable energy. We have the know how. We just need the will to do what is necessary to provide abundant at affordable prices.
You said that Congress favors big business. Well maybe smaller governement is the key reform there. But you and I know that Congress will never vote to reduce the size and money of the Federal government.
Anyway, that's my Dennis Miller rant.
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