Take action on energy
A new economic analysis shows that comprehensive clean energy and climate policies would create jobs, increase people's income and strengthen the U.S. economy as a whole. Based on an economic model developed by the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign), Yale University and the University of California, new analysis clearly demonstrates that comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation would limit pollution and create incentives to drive large-scale investments in clean energy and energy efficiency.
According to the analysis, investments will create up to 42,000 jobs in Michigan and as many as 1.9 million jobs nationally. In addition, these investments would increase annual household income in Michigan by $667 to $750 per year and boost Gross Domestic Production by $2 billion to $2.4 billion.
These economic gains are over and above the growth that Michigan would see in the absence of such a bill.
Our country faces challenges to our economy, our security and our environment, but with innovation and ingenuity, Michigan and America can overcome these challenges.
Now is the time for the U.S. Senate to take action on clean energy and climate policies that will create jobs and make America a global leader for the 21st century.
Brenda Archambo
Cheboygan
The writer is an outreach consultant with the National Wildlife Federation.
A source of good
The America we grew up knowing is slipping away. Actually, it's getting cashed out.
Here's how it happens. Government creates something to call a crisis. Government declares crisis needs fixing. Government writes strategically complicated bill that gives money they don't have to whoever they choose. Government doesn't fix crisis. Leaders declare success. Impact of bill creates new crisis.
We are told we must rescue banks, industry, health care, the environment, etc. Think subprime lending fiasco. Think $787,000,000,000 stimulus.
Currently, they're pretending to fix health care. It became too expensive because of the effects of Medicare, Medicaid, limited insurance options and frivolous lawsuits. Estimated cost for the government fix is $1,000,000,000,000. Cost to fix the actual problems is $0.
I am worried that our reckless spending will be our demise. Without real change, our great nation could go bankrupt. How will the United Nations deal with us when we owe the world something we can't pay? Some, like our president, apologize for America, but I believe we are a great source of good in the world. I don't want to see us become a failed experiment. Demand responsible leadership that is "of the people, by the people, and for the people."
Troy Elenbaas
Traverse City
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