Green With Envy

Some days I'm amazed at the cohones the Bushies display.

Ok, I take that back. I'm never really amazed, so much as setting new definitions of greed and self-importance on a daily basis.

According to Treehugger, California, in the lead as always on emissions and eco-friendly legislation, is preparing to pass a bill similar to the original and less-mutilated Clean Air Act, with some updates that have been bouncing around the court for the last few years. The so called "Global Warming Solutions Act" would force businesses in California to begin actively reducing emissions by 2012, aiming for a total emission reduction of 25% in 2020.

The businesses would also have emissions credits that can be traded in an open market fashion. This is highly positive for all involved parties, as already green businesses would gain extra revenue for further development, and less eco-conscious industries could minimize any economic impact of rapid refits in order to gain compliance.

Naturally, the Bushies don't see it this way. Any threat to their domination of our atmosphere seems to be way below the belt for them. Some of their biggest lobbies are the power, gas, oil, and automotive industries, and to lose the support of them would be disastrous (to their wallet).

What Americans have forgotten is that we were never a country to simply fold in the face of a mounting threat, in this case, the dwindling oil supply. Detroit (and the jobs with it) would not simply pack up and leave if we forced them to build more efficient vehicles and plants. They'd innovate and build hybrids, or better still, electric vehicles.

It's time for America to stand with the people who've made this bill possible, and put an end to political greed and corruption.