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Clinton says greener America means more jobs, less inequality
Former President Bill Clinton told the Democratic Leadership Council’s gathering in Nashville this afternoon that addressing the nation’s energy problem is the “secret to our economic future.”
In a lengthy speech focused on policy at the DLC’s “National Conversation” at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Clinton laid out some of his proposals to reform the economy, the healthcare system, education, energy and international affairs.
Clinton chaired the DLC from 1990 to 1991 prior to being elected president in 1992.
Clinton said Democrats have “got to get our country back in the solutions business,” and one of those solutions was using energy reform to create new jobs, raise wages and reduce inequality.
“The reason we are in the fix we’re in overwhelmingly this decade economically is that we have walked away from this generation’s source of new jobs, our commitment to a clean, efficient, independent energy future for the United States of America,” Clinton said. “That’s why this happened.”
Clinton pointed to Denmark and said the European country, “unlike America,” had rising wages and reduced inequality.
“Why? Because they have grown their economy 50 percent in the last few years and increased their energy use by how much?” Clinton asked. “Zero. Not one extra watt.”
Clinton said the goal of retrofitting buildings to green specifications within five years would create “tens of thousands of jobs in one American city” doing things like replacing lights, greening roofs and installing energy efficient glass.
“That is the secret to our economic future,” Clinton said.
The former President referenced a proposal of his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), and said she was backing eliminating tax breaks for the oil industry unless they “put it into a clean energy future.”
Clinton also spoke of his accomplishments as president from 1993 to 2001 and defended the DLC against critics who said it had lost its relevance.
“We’ve got to get our country back in the solutions business,” Clinton said. “And as long as the Democrats need to be in the solutions business, there will be a need for the DLC.”
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Former President Bill Clinton is simply trying to build his legacy again by talking about his "accomplisments" during his presidency. I doubt it will work. I am afraid his legacy is too entrenched in most Americans minds.
Yes, the memory and legacy of his successful presidency is well-entrenched, which is why he would beat the living hell out of this incompetent boob now in the White House if they were allowed to compete against each other. The same for the lord of darkness criminal slime of a VP we have right now."awhigham," you may not know it, since they never discuss, mention or acknowledge it on Rush's program, but GWB is the most unpopular president in the history of the nation. There are a lot of reasons for that, too many to list here. Clinton never approached the depths of Bush's unpopularity, even at the height of the ireelevant, partsianly pursued Lewinsky scandal. Your little comment would work really well -- if your only audience were your fellow dittohead morons. Clinton was (and is) a far better and far more successful and far more popular president that Bush can even wildly hope to be. Them's the facts -- live with them.
Yeah, we all know how HIGH the approval rating is on your illustrious liberal congress. Oh wait, their approval rating is lower than Bush's approval rating. My bad.
But still higher than that of the DeLay Congress.
Actually, King George the First polled lower than King George the Worst, although Dumbya still has a year to keep screwing up. I think W is around 30 percent and daddy dipped down to 28 percent at one point. Nixon sank slightly lower as the floodgates opened on Watergate. This White House probably keeps the shredders running 24/7, so a much deserved impeachment of both the Prez and VP probably won't happen.But going back to topic, Clinton is absolutely correct. Our waste of a depleting resource depresses the economy as we use an increasing share of our income to keep driving ridiculous family trucksters. Sure, the righties can point to the stock market, which is cyclical and coming back from the crash of '02. But the old Reagan re-election question, 'How many of you are better off today?' would only get a positive answer from the top of the econmic food chain. When Clinton was President, we had a budget surplus, cleaner air, cheaper gas, and a better and more equitable quality of life.
So if things are so bad, why do so many more people now own equity in public corporations, own homes and have better healthcare than ever. What were Clinton's legacy's again? corporate fraud and abuse, no effort to combat terrorism, no lasting legislation to improve the economy, enviromnet or education system. Sounds like another pretty faced do-nothing in the Kennedy legacy
Let's see...'corporate fraud and abuse', that's pretty much a daily occurence now, with a President who got away with insider trading at the helm. 'lasting legislation to improve the economy'? Tell me you aren't serious! Tax cuts for the rich and corporate welfare for big oil are not 'lasting legislation to improve the economy', they're PAYOFFS! Education: NCLB is an unfunded mandate, putting unreasonable burdens on the states. Cutbacks in Clinton's COPS grants. Billions in profiteering pork for the Vice-President's friends. Combatting terrorism- Clinton era- attempt on World Trade Center foiled. W era-World Trade Center is leveled. And where is Osama? At least they actually took a shot at him during the Clinton administration, instead of helping his family out of the country after 9/11.
Why do so many people own equity in public corporations? an you prove that? Home ownership increased because the economy tanked in '02 (due to 'corporate fraud and abuse') and interest rates went down. And because lenders have given more leeway to make predatory loans. That is coming home to roost now with record setting foreclosures. As recently as a year ago, the White House was pushing a bill aimed at giving more leeway to sub prime lenders, though they wouldn't dare try it today. The winners aren't the homeowners in this scenario, the winners are the banks who take the homes away and sell them to wealthy speculators.