The Reputation of the United States
I want to see my country once again be looked to as a role model for the world - a country admired more than feared, but feared when threatened.
I want us to do things or restrain from doing things because those decisions are right, not because they are expedient or satisfy our baser instincts.
I want other countries to desire our democracy because they see how well it works, not because they are afraid of our guns.
Now, how do we get there?
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Saturday, January 03, 2009
A Better Bailout?
Here is an idea which attempts to address the preservation and creation of American jobs, America's dependency on foreign oil, and issues of the electricity supply grid during national emergencies.
What if the Detroit auto manufacturers, and other manufacturers who may qualify for TARP assistance, had some of their manufacturing and engineering capacity converted to renewable energy technology as a condition of their receipt of funds? Instead of making more cars, somehow encourage (and, as needed, compensate) them to make cheap and durable solar panels or power-generating windmills or improved battery power for home use.
Then, offer tax breaks to homeowners, businesses, office building owners, etc. to install these
electricity generating devices. I include more than just homeowners because I live in a condo and cannot make external modifications, so I want something to incentivize Condo Associations to allow solar panels or reasonable-looking vertical windmills to be installed on roofs.
My thinking is that Chrysler, GM and Ford jobs could be preserved, our country's dependence on foreign oil decreased, and every user of electricity would have their own supply even if terrorists destroy the delivery systems of the major electricity providers. While we may not be able to run all our TVs and computers on solar panels and windmills, perhaps we can run our water heaters and refrigerators.
Even if we cut our dependency of the electric utility companies by only 20%, we've made a significant savings and a significant backup system.
Here is an idea which attempts to address the preservation and creation of American jobs, America's dependency on foreign oil, and issues of the electricity supply grid during national emergencies.
What if the Detroit auto manufacturers, and other manufacturers who may qualify for TARP assistance, had some of their manufacturing and engineering capacity converted to renewable energy technology as a condition of their receipt of funds? Instead of making more cars, somehow encourage (and, as needed, compensate) them to make cheap and durable solar panels or power-generating windmills or improved battery power for home use.
Then, offer tax breaks to homeowners, businesses, office building owners, etc. to install these
electricity generating devices. I include more than just homeowners because I live in a condo and cannot make external modifications, so I want something to incentivize Condo Associations to allow solar panels or reasonable-looking vertical windmills to be installed on roofs.
My thinking is that Chrysler, GM and Ford jobs could be preserved, our country's dependence on foreign oil decreased, and every user of electricity would have their own supply even if terrorists destroy the delivery systems of the major electricity providers. While we may not be able to run all our TVs and computers on solar panels and windmills, perhaps we can run our water heaters and refrigerators.
Even if we cut our dependency of the electric utility companies by only 20%, we've made a significant savings and a significant backup system.
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