Too Much Going On????
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Too Much Going On????
| Thu, 03-05-2009 - 10:20pm |
Does anyone else think the president is trying to take on too many things all at once? We know our health care is in trouble, and so is the environment, but wouldn't the wise thing be to just take one thing...like our crappy economy, and try to fix it (without all those darned earmarks EVERYONE is wanting) and when that is on the right track, then maybe start on something else? How can people "go green" when most are fighting to hang on to their homes, jobs and bank accounts. JMHO


The economy is going to take a long time to right itself. (I'm guessing 6-10yrs.)
"our crappy economy, and try to fix it (without all those darned earmarks EVERYONE is wanting) and when that is on the right track"
It's the budget that contains the earmarks. Earmarks are
"We know our health care is in trouble, and so is the environment"
All these things are intertwined.
Today unemployment has jumped to 8.1%. Many of these people could potentially lose their homes, need healthcare & above & beyond need employment.
Going "green" may sound inconsequential but it will put people to work making homes & businesses more energy efficient.
Here's how I see it. There are many factors which impact the economy. A couple of really crucial components are the burgeoning costs of health care and our dependence on the too-volatile costs of fossil fuel. Both have major impacts on the amount of discretionary money that U.S. citizens have available to spend.
After eight years of inchoate "governance" by BushCo, there is no time to waste in trying to get a handle on any pressing issues.
Politically, Obama HAS to try to resolve all these problems. You can bet your life that the next election cycle will see Republicans using the lack of resolution (never mind the dominant role they played in creating the problems in the first place!) as campaign fodder.
Jabberwocka
I understand that our problems come about from 8 years of Bush and his party.
He won, his party has control of Congress, and he is delegating a lot of the details.
He should do as much as possible. It was why he was elected.
Simple inexpensive fixes such as caulking, insulating, timers &/or motion detectors on lights can help.
I agree many green projects are expensive. I'd love to have a windmill to generate electricity & sell back the excess but is very costly to get started. One of DH's co-workers had a solar installed & it was over $20k. Which takes ages to recoup the cost.
Greening will create jobs which we really need.
Some thoughts about going "green". It's not necessarily about the costs associated with transitioning to non-fossil fuel sources.
Three words to remember--"Reduce, reuse, and recycle" Actually they particularly make sense for those who are financially stressed because it's not just energy which is saved, but money as well.
Take the potential of weatherization for instance. There's already been money allocated and:
"Helping low-income residents upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes will have every bit as big of a payoff for the nation's slumping economy as the most shovel-ready highway and bridge construction projects."
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/337/story/63324.html
Regarding the cost of buying a more fuel efficient car, surely it must also be true that the same people were unable or hard pressed to operate the vehicles they had this past summer when gasoline prices hit $4 and more. My guess is that there could be a program for subsidies to low-income families for investing in more fuel efficient transport--scooter, car, whatever. There's already a tax credit for first time home buyers.
I would, were it up to me, make ANY further assistance to the Big Three contingent on their quickly developing more efficient models. They caviled for decades at efforts to change CAFE standards. Look where it got them. Foreign car makers showed more foresight and while hurting too don't seem to be in as dire straits.
Jabberwocka
I'm not sure that things aren't being a bit rushed.....
But mostly I popped in to say hi.