A Need For Radical Change

While celebrating the 232ND birthday of the United States, it is not the hot dogs, apple pie and fireworks that will unite us as one country on this Fourth of July. A national election looms large in the next few months, and I believe I can safely voice the consensus that America needs a radical change.

Elephant or Donkey, Republican or Democrat, Conservative or Liberal, or just plain Pachyderm and Jackass - who will bring us change? My answer is both; for the appropriate question is not who will bring about the most radical change, but who will bring about the most workable change? Who is willing to try anything, regardless of set backs and numerous mistakes, to bring about that change?

Let us take the most agreed upon need for change in America today - rising fuel costs. A local paper ran an opinion poll - "Should American lower fuel costs by conservation and renewable energy sources, or should we allow the drilling of previously restricted sites?" Infuriated by the cost of expired trees to publish such a narrowly worded poll, I put the cherished paper to better use (recycling) and started this blog.

Consider if Edison limited his exploratory quest: to find a proper filament for his light bulb, to gold or silver. Or, consider if our founding fathers only considered negotiations with King George over the issue of Taxation without Representation instead of total independence. For radical vision always precedes radical change. I say let's do it all -try everything and see if it sticks.

Both our political candidates have a plan for lowering fuel costs and curiously they are both named Cap and Trade Energy Solutions. However, in reading the two plans - and believe me these plans are both outlined in the most general of terms - the Jackass plan is based on punishment and the Pachyderm plan is based on rewards. So readers, if we are the children and the government is our parent - which would you choose for change - punishment for using too large a carbon footprint, or rewards for utilizing less carbon?

To those parents out there - which worked best with your own children? If you want change - try everything - for there is never just one solution to any given problem.