Alternative Energy

After all these years it is perhaps a bit gratifying that the Republicans are coming around to the position on alternative power that the much maligned but apparently forward looking Jimmy Carter took in the '70's.

His plan was to promote these major shifts in the most progressive and tax neutral way - via the method of 'tax incentives'. Perhaps if these were called 'tax cuts' the average Republican could understand the concept.

(Of course one wonders why the present day Democrats can not even see when they have been dealt a winning hand.)

Mr. Carter set up an energy policy that (had it not been destroyed and thrown out by Reagan) would today perhaps be bearing meaningful fruit. It was an energy policy that was aimed at reducing our country's dependence on foreign oil. Perhaps that has a familiar ring?

The global giants of Petroleum lobbied hard and bought television spots explaining how there would always be an endless supply of cheap oil. (All they needed where tax incentives for that costly exploration.) Tax incentives to large profitable corporations and wealthy investors are good for the economy they tell us. While tax relief for the increasingly oppressed middle and lower classes are luxuries that we can not afford.

At the very least these alternative energy programs and incentives created jobs and small business's. Which is another thing to which the Republicans always give verbal support.

I live in Arizona and I can tell you that we have a wonderful supply of Solar Energy. During the late 70's and early 80's there were scores of small companies beginning in the most rudimentary and primitive forays into Solar Power Usage. The elimination of the tax incentives by the Reagan administration scrapped the budding industry.

The alternative is to wait until gas hits 3 or 4 dollars a gallon ... oops. Then we could as a nation once again flail and panic. After all we have the leadership we deserve. If the electorate insists on being told what they want to hear.

Where are the leaders that American needs. The ones who will tell them the real story. The one's who can convince through rhetoric and persuasion that a bit of sacrifice now may forestall an awful price that may have to be paid later.

When comes to terrorism the Neo Conservatives seem to love to push the panic button every day. When it comes to Energy usage and awareness there is a real threat that they could warn us of and perhaps save us from.

Note to Democrats. Do something. Stand for something. Perhaps you could explain how raising the minimum wage to an amount that wasn't an insult - Perhaps to the levels it was (prorated for inflation) that it was in the 60's? You could explain how much tax income this would provide. You let the Republicans call you "tax and spend". When will you call the Republicans what they are "Spend and borrow".

Written 2/06