Archive for March, 2010

The House passed the Senate version of Health Care Reform and it was signed into law yesterday. Now the Senate begins to deal with it. We are seeing amendment after amendment (many absolutely absurd) being added by Senators in an attempt to slow down the process once again.

Additionally, we have 14  States and their Attorney Generals suing the Federal government over the implementation of the Health Care Bill saying it is unconstitutional.

When it comes to legislation for the people, we guess Washington gridlock is not enough – we now have to deal with State and legal gridlock.

How ineffective and inefficient is this process? We are spending more time and money debating this issue than the reform will save.

Just give us an effective and efficient government for We The People on the National and State levels!

We leave you with this – thanks to Thom Hartman:

“A politician looks to the next election.”

“A Statesman looks to the next generation.”

As Congress gets down to finally determining how to act (or not act) on the existing Senate and House Health Care Reform legislation, we get an uneasy feeling and don’t have a clue on what will be happening. Where is all the transparency that we were promised?

All the rhetoric from both sides of the debate still leaves us feeling empty. When everyone says we need reform, why is this issue still not resolved? In the fall of 2008, Congress was able to OK $800 Million for bank bailouts in about 3 days!

Why do the major elements of the legislation being discussed not take effect until 3 or 4 years from now? How many people will die or be economically devastated waiting for legislation to be implemented?

We just don’t get it. It seems simple to enact legislation that takes effect now enabling every American to become part of the Medicare program – that’s the kind of reform we expected.

As Congress heats up the debate on Cap & Trade legislation are we to expect the same productivity we have seen for the past year on Health Care Reform?

The issue of producing clean, sustainable renewable energy while lessening dependence on foreign sources for our energy requirements seems pretty straight forward to us. We’re not sure if Cap & Trade is the most effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, we do know that 28 States have enacted Renewable Electricity Standards where certain percentages of electricity come from renewable resources such as the sun and wind. Do we need national legislation to get our country moving forward on this issue – it appears that is what it will take as there are 50 States and way too many special interests trying to impede the implementation of renewable energy.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders today held a press conference announcing a solar initiative.

Solar Industry Leaders to Support

Green Job Chairman’s Solar Legislation

Environment America to Roll Out Report on Solar Industry

WASHINGTON, March 9 – Sen. Bernie Sanders and environmental advocates will hold a press conference on solar energy at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 9 at the Senate Swamp.

Sanders (I-Vt.), chairman of the Senate’s green jobs subcommittee, will discuss his legislation to encourage the installation of 10 million solar systems on the rooftops of homes and businesses over the next decade.

Environment America will release a report, Building a Solar Future: Repowering America’s Homes, Businesses and Industry with Solar Energy, highlighting the potential of solar energy and the many ways that solar power can transform life by enhancing energy security and reducing pollution.

Who: Senator Bernie Sanders; Sean Garren, clean energy advocate for Environment America; James Resor, chief financial officer of groSolar (White River Junction, Vt.); Anthony Clifford, chief executive officer of Standard Solar (Gaithersburg, Md.); and Kathy Weiss, vice president at First Solar (Tempe, Ariz.).

What: News Conference on Solar Legislation and Report on the Solar Industry

When: 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Where: Senate Swamp, across from the Capitol’s Senate Steps (map here).

Contact: Michael Briggs or Will Wiquist at 202-224-5141

This is the type of activity we need from Congress to address the 6 Billion tons of carbon emissions we’re putting into the environment. Senator Sanders, you continue to do the right things for the people of this country.