Opinion: Green recovery program helps Nashvillians too

Nashvillians need to be aware of the “Green-Collar Jobs Training Program” that has been presented to us as a Green Recovery plan for everyone in Tennessee. As you probably know, Tennessee can use a certain fraction of the $4.5 billion in Federal Stimulus Funds allocated to the state.

This provides a unique opportunity to assist Tennessee's unemployed citizens, who now make up 9.6 percent of the state's population. I believe every Tennessean should be letting Governor Bredesen know that this is what we want to better the economic situation in Tennessee.

I agree with President Obama's motto because ‘We do need a change’ in Tennessee. We need a change in our economical structure. We need a change in the homelessness situation. We need a change in the unemployment rate for men and women alike. We need a change in our society that would give the physically handicapped a chance to work as proud citizens of these United States.

Yes, we do need a change! We need a change for the nearly forgotten military veteran. We need a change for the disconnected youths of Tennessee, whose only mistake was to be misguided. We need a change for the formerly incarcerated individuals who have changed their ways yet can't find a way back into a supposedly forgiving society.

Yes, we need a change! We need a change about the condition of our environment. We need better insulation for our homes and apartments. We need better anti-air pollution devices. Better sanitation services.

Yes, we all need these changes. How are we going to do it?

We solve the problems. We do this by letting Gov. Bredesen know that we support the Green Collar Jobs program 100 percent, and ask that he approve the "Green Recovery" plan for Tennessee.

This, I feel, may be our last great hope.