Politics - Ruining good policy?

As debate over the health care bill rages, and as news of the budget debacle in California (reminding me of the last several budgets in Michigan) appears, it reminds me of just how hard it is to forge a good compromise in government. Politics, and the constant election cycle continues to make it nearly impossible to get anything done in Washington, Sacramento, Lansing, or in any other capital in the United States.

Republicans who attempt to forge a compromise are portrayed as "liberals" by Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, and the conservative media. Democrats find similar hardship when working with Republicans, painted by those on MSNBC or Air America as too close to corporations or as "anti-Obama," perhaps the worst insult currently in leftist circles. The media demands that politicians are always campaigning, causing many to stick to their partisan ways and hindering any chance of real progress.

There were times in the past in which candidates would proudly pledge their ability to work with members of the other party. We now live in times that discourage such statements. The permanent campaign, set to begin again for the 2010 elections very soon, will do nothing but hinder the ability to make any meaningful policy.

Bill Bishop, in his book The Big Sort, wrote about how more and more Americans are moving to locations surrounded by like-minded individuals. These people are also, through cable news and the internet, only focusing on media that shares their perspective on the world. This thinking becomes dangerous, reducing ideas not to good or bad, but rather "ours" and "theirs."

A troubled economy, unsustainable social programs, war against terrorists, and plenty of other issues face those in government. These times call for good ideas, innovation, and compromise, several methods that have worked historically. Social programs, balanced budgets, reforms, and tax policy have been created in bi-partisan exchanges. Rather than demonizing Republicans and Democrats working together, we should, as citizens, encourage such behavior.

Buy Local!

As you eat your next meal, spend a few minutes thinking about where what you are about to eat comes from. Chances are, whether you’re seated in a restaurant or at your own dinner table, the food you’re about to consume has traveled a few miles. A typical carrot has been nearly 1900 miles before getting to you according to a published study. Atlantic Salmon, featured at eateries and sold by grocers everywhere is caught off the coast of Norway. As Jeff Rubin, in his book “Why your World is About to Get a Whole Lot Smaller” points out that from there, it is sent to mainland Europe, then to China where it is thawed, processed, and refrozen before being sent to the United States.

As I think of the distance food travels, I think of the number of Salmon and fishermen working in the Great Lakes. My mind also turns to the carrots currently growing in the garden behind my house. As the economy continues to stagnate, I cannot help but think of what a strong impact buying local can have in stimulating economies. Not only would consumers get fresher produce, local farmers would benefit.

The concept of urban agriculture continues to grow in Detroit. Abandoned lots are being converted into community gardens to supply the fresh produce restaurants and local consumers are eating each evening. There is also the rise of CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) in which shares of the fruits and vegetables produced at small farms sold to local consumers. Farmer’s Markets provide yet another way to purchase local food. Studies indicate that 80 to 90 cents of every dollar spent at a Farmer’s Market directly benefit those who bring their produce to sell.

Buying local keeps money within communities and is something we can all do to help improve the economy.

A curtain call

Great news arrived this week in word that General Motors will build their new, European-style small car in Oakland County at the Orion Plant. This decision will create jobs in an area in desperate need. There is speculation this move could also create jobs for auto suppliers.

Michigan is also cheering GE who brought 1200 jobs to the state.

As I opened the newspaper this morning, I saw pictures of Michigan's governor, celebrating the successes and talking about her own good work in helping these jobs land in Michigan. Make no mistake, The Governor deserves praise for her effort. That said, I could not help but wonder, where has this been since she took office in 2003? With so many jobs lost, and coming up on the short end of these decisions so often, I can't help but think how much better off the citizens of the state would be had she been this successful more often.

A practical solution

According to a recent article in the Christian Science Monitor, nearly 100,000 villages in India exist without electricity. The 80 million of those villagers are part of a world, inhabited by nearly 1.5 billion people who cannot "turn the lights on" after dusk. These people are limited, unable to read, or do much of anything once the sun goes down. Those who can afford lighting use kerosene lamps, an inefficient, and for some, expensive method of lighting their homes.

Enter a Non-Governmental Organization, the Grameen Surya Bijli Foundation. This group, as part of the Dignity through Electricity Program, are working to bring light to these villagers in a way that is cheaper and less harmful to the environment. This group has designed lamps, which utilize LEDs (light emitting diodes) run on solar energy. They cost $55 to install (a cost picked up by the Foundation) and provide lamps to these people, which are charged by the sun and have four hours of light.

The benefits to these lamps are countless. It's nearly 200 times more efficient than kerosene (50 times more efficient than a 100 watt bulb for that matter) and are much better environmentally. Moreover, they are cost neutral. They last for years, saving energy and money. What villagers spent on kerosene can be saved and invested in other ways, such as paying for school materials for children.

A problem for the Foundation is importation of LEDs. Currently, they are produced in China and shipped to India. Should the NGO grow and be capable of building their lamps in India, the cost of a lamp would drop from $55 to and estimated $22. It would also bring jobs, growing the economy.

Joining the Grameen Surya Bijli Foundation is the Studylite lamp, recently profiled in Wired magazine. These provide 6 hours of light and run on 24 LED bulbs. These lamps are expensive, costing $33. Should a NGO become involved, these could also be an affordable solution.

This work, a practical alternative energy solution solves a real problem experienced by people on the other side of the world. It's easy to see how much capacity could be built by increasing the hours light is available to these people. Should you be interested in more, their website is www.suryabijlee.com.

Some logistics

You'll notice a few new features.

- At the bottom of the posts, there is an envelope. Clicking that will allow you to e-mail my posts to friends. Should I say something that strikes you as interesting, feel free to forward it on to friends and family. Word of mouth is strong advertising, if I'm worth reading, please let someone know.

- I've added, on the side of the page, what I'm currently reading, in the event you're interested in what shapes my thinking on issues.

- Many have let me know they read, don't hesitate to send me an e-mail should you find something I wrote about worth a response.

More damage?

Scanning the paper this morning, I could not help but shake my head at further misconduct on the part of members of Detroit's city government. It led me to ponder the question, who has damaged the image of the city further, Kwame Kilpatrick or Monica Conyers?

The former mayor's scandal cost the city a fortune, was a national story. His actions cost the city millions of dollars in the wrongful termination lawsuit of former police officer Gary Brown. Coverage of his tirade at the State of the City address last year and his removal from office were a humiliation for the office he represented. After moving to Texas, we're still not rid of Mr. Kilpatrick, his failure to pay restitution to the city keep him in the public eye.

Council Pro-Temp Conyers has had her share of bad press. From referring to Ken Cockeril as "Shrek" to her famous YouTube video where she debates a student from a local elementary school, Monica Conyers has brought her share of negative attention. Her move to shun the plan to renovate Cobo while she led city council could also cost the city millions. Her unethical move, to apparently accept bribes are just as bad as many of the actions of the mayor.

It's a toss up on who has damaged the city more, but all can agree both have not served the citizens well.

Write your senator!

If you could, would you do something that would help lower child mortality rates, improve health in impoverished nations, and help curb poverty? If there was the opportunity to help prevent some deadly diseases from spreading, would you take advantage? 

Nearly 900 million people living in the world lack access to clean water. Nearly 2.5 billion lack access to proper sanitation. This is a leading cause of diseases spreading, malnutrition, and the inability to grow crops. 

How valuable is clean water? Reflect for a moment on your own life on how much clean water you use in the average day. Showers, laundry, refreshment, just three of the many uses of water for all of us in a given span of 24 hours. The lack of clean water makes living conditions tough for anyone who has had to go without for even a short period in the Western World. As my grandfather used to say "water is precious, don't take it for granted." 

Currently in the US Senate, a bill has been proposed to bring access to clean water to nearly 100 million people. While it will not solve the problem completely, it will help. To get to the floor of the Senate, this bill still needs co-sponsors, as well as strong minded Senators to vote for the bill to move to the House of Representatives. 

Below is a copy of the letter that I sent to Senator Stabenow and Senator Levin. I'd encourage any of you reading to do the same and consider asking your family and friends to write their Senator to encourage them to support this effort.

Want to help the world and fight terrorism at the same time? Get more people clean water. It will build bridges.

Dear Senator Levin,

Clean water is one of the most vital, precious commodities in all the world. As someone fortunate enough to come from the Great Lakes State, I cannot fathom a life without plenty of water for so many purposes. We’re blessed to be from a state where we have plenty of access for cleaning, drinking, and recreation purposes. 

One issue going on in our complicated world that concerns me greatly is the lack of access to clean water for so many of the human beings around the world. Geography prevents some from enjoying something we take for granted - clean, fresh water. Hundreds of millions of people just like us lack access to the most basic, most necessary resource on the planet. 

I’m pleased to read news of a bill that could be introduced in the United States Senate. The Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act, which is co-sponsored by Senators Durbin and Corker will help provide access to clean water for nearly 100 million people. While it will not solve the problem completely, it will go a long way to make an impact on so many in underdeveloped countries. 

Efforts such as this, to help those from around the world who share our common humanity will help create partnerships with nations and improve the view of the United States among members of the world community. As residents of a state so rich in access to clean water, I’m confident you agree this measure is worthwhile. 

It is my hope that you will support this bill as strongly as possible by both considering co-sponsoring and voting for the measure when it comes before the Senate.

I’m grateful for your time,

John C. Bernia Jr. 

Oxford, Michigan