Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy Singles Awareness Day!

I woke up this morning to one of the best Valentine gifts I can think of.

Finally, congress and our president realize that we can solve two of the biggest problems in the U.S. with one bill. 
The bill includes $71 billion for clean energy programs—more than three times the current spending for these same programs... H.R. 1 also adds $20 billion in clean energy tax incentives. The bill would “spark the creation of a clean-energy economy” that President Barack Obama promised during his inaugural address.
This will put people to work doing what we need to be focusing on most: reducing our dependence on petroleum and reducing our contributions to climate change.  But instead of losing US jobs, we will be creating much needed jobs that cannot be outsourced.  The constructions markets have been hit really hard by the recession, but this bill could directly and indirectly create as many 1 million jobs that focus on energy efficiency in federal buildings and low income housing.  So not only will we be creating jobs that stimulate the economy and reducing our impact on climate change, the taxpayers will also be saving money on heating and cooling federal buildings - up to 2 billion dollars.  
The bill will also provide much needed money for public transit.  The $16 billion for transit projects and high speed rail will create up to 20,000 jobs for every $1 billion invested.  Public transit will also make it easier for people to get to work where they can find higher paying jobs and make it easier for people to stretch their paychecks.  
So, I may be alone on one of the lamest and cheesiest holidays ever, but I can think of at least one reason to be really happy.  <3