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The President has an opinion and a vision. You have an opinion and a vision. I have an opinion and a vision. That makes us all a hell lot more than stupid. To call someone, or a group, stupid without directly engaging in a logic-based debate is stupid, however.
Solar energy has been accepted as ONE of many solutions. And if you believe that the government always screws up something, you wouldn’t happen to support the government representatives who share your vision as screwing up now would you? We need visionaries running the government, not people crawling under a rock or looking at short term political/economic gains. People who recognize potential problems, yes, and energy crisis is GUARANTEED to be one.
Or, do you believe energy is cheap and forever?
The problem though is that corporate interests are being allowed to dictate that "future vision" where they retain their power and revenue.
I'm fine with the vision but not the lobbying and not the corporate type solutions that are being proposed.
My vehicle is a 2000 but it only has 50,000 miles on it. I have NEVER purchased new furniture, only garage sale specials. Just last month I FINALLY tossed my housecoat that I've been wearing since 1993. I actually get out a needle and thread and "darn" my socks so I don't have to throw them away. I'm able to get additional mileage from them.
I recycle the vast majority of my household grey water. I've managed to reduce my monthly water usage by 1/2.... all using a simple 5 gal bucket and my muscles.
Since I spent 19 yrs as a single mom of 4 boys, living on a STRICT budget was necessary. My friends call me the "frugal queen".
I grow a garden of edibles.
This is just the short list of my frugal non-materialistic lifestyle.
My vehicle is a 2000 but it only has 50,000 miles on it. I have NEVER purchased new furniture, only garage sale specials. Just last month I FINALLY tossed my housecoat that I've been wearing since 1993. I actually get out a needle and thread and "darn" my socks so I don't have to throw them away. I'm able to get additional mileage from them.
I wish that I had that type of discipline. But you are exactly the reason a national sales tax would be devastating to business. But it would be great for you
The problem though is that corporate interests are being allowed to dictate that "future vision" where they retain their power and revenue.
I'm fine with the vision but not the lobbying and not the corporate type solutions that are being proposed.
Why do you assume that it is only "go green" corporations who have the power but "oil" corporations are weak at lobbying? Why can't, we as a people, stand up and debate the need, the pros and cons of the ideas about being conservative with energy and natural resources without lugging in corruption?
Consider my personal choice. When I shopped for a house, I looked for a reasonable size and the best location (central, schools and facilities). I settled for a price and a mortgage that I wanted to get rid of early, even as a single guy in late 20s. And my 15-year mortgage will be paid off in about three years. Price was a key for another reason besides getting rid of the only loan I have. I was looking to invest in solar power and work towards greater independence. And independence from HOA was also accounted for those and other reasons. I even shopped for Civic GX with PHILL station from Honda but the car was sold out for the year.
And as soon as I'm done paying the mortgage, I will be investing the money I decided not to spend on a more expensive house and a more expensive new car, on getting solar panels.
So, while there would be a relatively expensive investment from me in green technology in the near future, I made up for a part of that expense by making fiscally responsible decisions a few years ahead. So, now while in my 30s I may be living in a house that is only 2000 sq ft and a car that isn't brand new or cost twice of what it did, I will have no mortgage to worry about in my 40s and expect energy independence to a nice degree if not completely.
When it comes to oil prices, having lived in Germany and England, I am probably better prepared than most for obscenely high prices, something I've expected for years. My investments have a price tag, but they are for greater independence a few years down the road, and the idea of continued fiscal responsibility.
That is where I see President Obama's point. We waste a lot, and have been doing that for decades. We have not invested in the future and keep looking back at the solutions from the past. At some point we will be forced to, and there is no better time than now when oil prices are still at a reasonable levels. We consume WAY too much.
I would also like to add, I have a 15 yr old TV that hasn't been plugged into the wall since 2009. I don't even have cable TV. I've NEVER owned a cell phone. I don't go to the salon every month (like many women) to get my hair and nails done. The last time I bought an "outfit" was 2009, for my son's wedding.
My front yard is "no mow" landscaped with over 200+ perennials. The old King size waterbed in the basement got recycled into the front yard landscaping. Have received plenty of compliments on it. All those old blue jeans get recycled into a "blue jean quilt".
Both my grandparents survived the Great Depression. They were good teachers and I am a decent student. Poverty tends to do that to a person.
Why do you assume that it is only "go green" corporations who have the power but "oil" corporations are weak at lobbying? Why can't, we as a people, stand up and debate the need, the pros and cons of the ideas about being conservative with energy and natural resources without lugging in corruption?
The President has an opinion and a vision. You have an opinion and a vision. I have an opinion and a vision. That makes us all a hell lot more than stupid. To call someone, or a group, stupid without directly engaging in a logic-based debate is stupid, however.
Solar energy has been accepted as ONE of many solutions. And if you believe that the government always screws up something, you wouldn’t happen to support the government representatives who share your vision as screwing up now would you? We need visionaries running the government, not people crawling under a rock or looking at short term political/economic gains. People who recognize potential problems, yes, and energy crisis is GUARANTEED to be one.
Or, do you believe energy is cheap and forever?
what we need running the government are people commtted to keeping the government from messing stuff up and changing the game from day to day.
when it comes to next gen energy technology, government intervention will drive invention in a direction dictated by the major power/money players and not by the autual consumers who should be driving the innovation.
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