I'm encouraged that the President is finally speaking of a promoting independence from Middle Eastern oil and touting cleaner technology. These have been the cornerstones of
my campaign. But we have yet to see these words in action.
Despite the fact that the American people are faced with rising energy costs, our elected officials continue to ignore policies that promote energy efficiency, alternative fuels, and clean technology right now.
The President's words tonight were a 180-degree turns from previous positions. For example, under one part of his tax policy, which just expired at the end of 2004, the Bush Administration offered a $5,000 tax credit to businesses that purchased small and mid-sized vehicles, but a $10,000 tax credit to businesses that purchased large vehicles, such as Humvees. Why was there such an emphasis on this inefficient form of transportation?
I'm concerned about the President's emphasis on coal, and what that will do for our air quality. I'm also concerned about pursuing nuclear power, given the challenges of storing used fuel.
I'd like to see a sensible energy policy based on:
Investments in renewable energy sources
Increased fuel efficiency standards for automobiles
Investments in public transportation
Smart growth legislation
Tax credits for energy efficiency
The President cites the need for 70,000 math and science teachers, yet the current budget cuts Pell Grants and increases interest rates on student loans.
I'm not convinced the President's policies support his words. I'm also not convinced he will listen to a diverse base of advisors. Before the invasion of Iraq, many people told the Administration that the Middle East was unstable and stabilizing Iraq would not be easy, yet he took us down a road that further destabilized this region.
As a Gulf War veteran, and the parent of a son who has recently returned from Iraq, I was hoping for a signal from the President that he has seen the errors of his ways and that he will be moving the troops out of harm's way in a war that should never have happened. As an American, I was hoping for a sign that our country was going to reverse the disastrous course in Iraq that has done so much damage to our troops, to the Iraqi people and to our nation. I was hoping for the word that our troops are being brought home now and taken care of when they get here.
It is not defeatist to do what is right. It is not defeatist to acknowledge your errors and fix them. It is not defeatist to remove troops from harm's way when they have been sent to fight in a war based on lies.
The president continues to hide behind "support for the troops," but we know that those who truly support the troops are the ones who are saying: "bring them home now, and take care of them when they get here."