What we've seen since the 1973 oil crisis has been disgusting. Only lip service has been paid to solving the threat to our security that dependence on foreign sources of energy has become. Republicans in Congress, like Joe "BP, I apologize" Barton, John "Drill baby, Drill!" McCain, and Trent Franks(R-AZ), have made our country more dependent on foreign sources of oil than ever before.
The infamous Phoenix brown cloud, c/o Trent Franks (Source)
MMM... chocolaty
The simple fact is, we can't drill our way out of this problem. We need leaders who will fight for the future- help to establish an economy where American companies and American-made products provide jobs for us.
Solar is one way that we can move to energy independence. Arizona is a natural place for solar companies to not just build solar power plants, but to research new technologies and manufacture solar components. But you wouldn't know it from Trent Franks. You see, Trent Franks is tied to oil, intimately. We can't expect a former oil CEO to bring the change we need. Instead of putting good money after bad subsidizing the oil industry, let's invest in new sources of energy, made here in America.
Companies like First Solar in Tempe are already pioneering the research of new solar technologies. Science Foundation Arizona (a public-private partnership) with help from Democratic allies, has been able to generate $2.18 for every state funded dollar spent. We need allies who will continue to push for solar and other alternative energy solutions. Isn't a doubling of an investment a smart bet to make? Arizona's District 2 is the Saudi Arabia of solar power- let's stop sending money overseas and bailing out the oil companies, and start building on what we have at home.
Outline of AZ-02; Darker red=Better solar potential (Original source)
That's where John Thrasher comes in. This guy pulls no punches when talking about what Arizona and this country can be capable of if we'd stop subsidizing the carbon economy, and move forward with a new vision for a green economy. The quote I put above, in the diary title, comes from John's website.
These are jobs that are lost to China, and most importantly, skills that are lost to China as well. Our country no longer has the manufacturing skills needed to be self reliant.
This is beyond a tragedy, this is treason. -John Thrasher
As demand for labor plummets due to outsourcing and unfair trade practices, American jobs remain gone, never to be seen again. This is because the resources for America to retool those industries cannot be recaptured, an economic phenomenon known as 'barrier to entry'. Robert Becker estimates that manufacturing is 17% lower in 2004 than it would have been if the dollar had not lost its value from 1995 levels. These are jobs that are lost to China, and most importantly, skills that are lost to China as well. Our country no longer has the manufacturing skills needed to be self reliant. -John Thrasher
As China, Germany, and Japan invest in new technologies that will lead the energy future, Republicans (like Trent Franks) in America and Arizona cling to oil and "drill, baby, drill" politics. Solar cells are being manufactured in China after American inventors can't secure funding here at home. Wind turbines are made in Germany and shipped around the world to countries like the U.S., and Japan continues to pour money into innovative new technologies. Our industrial policy, fed by Republican free-traders, has caused America to lose manufacturing capacity for years on end. Trent Franks and his Republican cronies are giving our country away-
When will Americans wake up and see that our nation is being sold out from under us? -John Thrasher
As the next congressman for Arizona's 2nd district, I know John will be a staunch supporter of not just getting us off the path of selling this country out, but of putting us on a path to a sustainable future.
As your Congressman, it will be my job to make Arizona, and the entire United States, free from dependency on Middle Eastern oil. No other course makes sense. It is about our future. -John Thrasher
Let's help John by getting 50 people to give $5 to unseat Trent Franks and get a clean energy advocate in the House for Arizona!
If you can't donate, please volunteer!
Update: First, thanks for my first rec-listed diary!! Second, I've updated the diary to put the quote in the title in context. While I agree that "treason" should not be thrown around lightly, what has been happening to America's economy due to free-trade economics and misplaced priorities is a major betrayal to this country, and think it is applicable here in the dictionarial sense, if not the constitutional sense. Thank you again, everybody! GOTV, and let's win some seats!