Stale politics as usual. As the US is encroaching upon a hotter summer, and thus illness and deaths from heat are likely to increase, it is sad to see stale ideas being included in new legislation.
Though the finals details are yet to be hammered out in the US Energy Bill (the Senate is yet to vote on final amendments and a conference version is yet to be decided between the two houses), the bill barely takes steps forward to improve US Environmental Policy. Sadly, very few Congresspersons seem to realize that it is in the best interest s of the US to fight for a better environment via a more responsible energy policy. Nor do they seem to realize that a more environmentally responsible energy policy could spur greater economic development vis à vis Americans spending fewer dollars on foreign oil, wasting fewer tax & personal dollars on the negative health effects of fossil fuels, and Americans spending more money on their domestic economy via the creation of new high tech jobs for alternative energies as well as macroeconomic displacement from reduced energy bills.
[Yes, the above could have been better punctuated, but I'm a bit sick today. So, please forgive me.]
My point is simply that despite a growing consensus of what steps should be taken by the US to reduce dependence on foreign oil, lower energy bills, improve environmental conditions, and thus improve the health of the population; the current bill, though better than Mr. Bush's proposal, only inches forward.
I know that politics is like the boring of hard boards, but the US was once known for its fresh and creative approach to politics, policy, and the problems with which government is confronted. Isn't it a bit sad, when this is the freshest idea?
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