THE ISSUE OF OUR TIMES
I am so impressed with particularly this one of my two US Senators. Michael Bennet has been a champion of moving our country to a new energy paradigm. This IS if not anything, THE VITAL issue of our times. Along with Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tom Carper (D-DE), Tom Udall (D-NM), Bennet introduced a bill called the OIL INDEPENDENCE FOR A STRONGER AMERICA ACT which seeks to diminish U.S. oil consumption by approximately 8 million barrels per day in 2030 by setting vehicle efficiency standards, developing alternative transportation fuels, improving travel options and infrastructure, and reducing the amount of oil used to heat buildings. (The Environmental and Energy Institute) Information on this bill can be found here.
This would not only move America toward oil independence, but boost national security, reduce the need for war, enhance Americans’ self-sufficiency; it would create significant jobs, and improve the planet and our bodies’ health.
What would it be like to live in a city that with less pollution, congestion, traffic?? Pristine lands and oceans without worry of toxic oil slicks, clean air… What a sight it would be for every sunshine state roof-top glistening with solar panels, windy states sporting a collection of wind turbines dotting a verdant hillsides, and a lightrail trains coasting to their stops at convenient times and locations!
According to Bennet’s energy policy liason Zane Kessler, already, 20,000 jobs have been created in Colorado as the result of wind turbine tower production that has come to the state. He supports clean energy technology tax incentives which would draw more such businesses to states offering them. He also envisions a “Race to the Top” with energy (similar to the “Race to the Top” in education, which used a carrot approach to encourage states to produce a system of rules designed to improve teaching in our schools). This would be a system used to allot federal funding to clean energy investments based on a system to determine which states are prepared to create an environment conducive to producing clean energy technologies. Thousands of jobs are a by-product of this, so is a product which can be exported around the world. Last night at a town hall, where I was honored to meet Mr. Bennet, he said that one of the United States’ largest exports is military equipment and aircraft. China’s, by contrast, is solar panels! How is it, that they are leading producers and exporters of this technology when we in the US came up with it? What would it look like if we could garner in on this industry?!
One of America’s core values, especially held dear by the conservatives (and incidentally, by me as well) is SELF-RELIANCE. If the government has any legitimate role in preventing or mitigating economic collapse, it ought to invest in this new and needed infrastructure. If anything, leaders, lead the nation towards self-sufficiency!
Renewable energy is the investment we should be making. Building and implementing the infrastructure could be the new driving force of our economy, our security, the health of our planet and ourselves and our children. This issue could bridge conservatives and progressives, environmentalists and businessmen, even Democrats and Republicans. Especially if businesses were to legitimately compete to secure any possible government investment (funding). This is the entry point for me, an independent. I just want a that steers us in the right direction. I want to feel secure. I just don’t in an economy based on fossil fuel.
Michael Bennet understands that renewable energy equals jobs, national security, self-reliance, and that it’s an important investment for our future, not only as Coloradans, but citizens of the United States. Investing in renewable energy is the responsible thing to do as citizens of this shared wide blue world.
I don’t like being on the spot. I can sing like a song-bird to you when I am inspired, and can orate on a whim like no other. However, when it’s a test, it makes me nervous. It is an insecurity that creeps up when I am on the spot.
In The Experience of “Negative Otherness”: How Shall We Treat Our Enemies (2002) psychologist Stephen Gilligan, Ph.D. argues for an alternative to dealing with our enemies rather than simply fighting or fleeing. He claims that these two options are often insufficient, limited in their effectiveness to resolve conflicts.
Nina Lois is a graduate student at the University of Colorado at Denver obtaining a Master's Degree in Humanities with a B.A. in political science. Her passions are broad when it comes to the human condition. She is deeply interested in philosophy, psychology, environmental and social justice, peace studies, music, nutrition, tradition, and progress. 
Upon her imminent graduation, she wishes to contribute to the health, wealth, and happiness of the community through involvement, writing, and research. For goodness's sake, love the body, cultivate the mind and a garden, and feed the soul!
Thanks again