Tell Obama to Steer the Stimulus Package

Obama ran for president on a platform that promised oversight and steering of the economy, promising to bring the US economy into the 21st Century with clean energy, new technologies in transportation of people and goods, and global leadership in a vision for how to live in a sustainable way. These goals will not be achieved without planning, both national and regional.

The current stimulus package discussions do not seem to include incentives for states and municipalities to provide state, regional and city transportation plans that offer significant reductions in greenhouse gases, as well as a grid that incorporates renewable energy sources. What are being called "green jobs" are in reality simply traditional sector jobs, and there is a danger that the lion's share of the stimulus funds will be spent on simply repairing and adding to the existing highways, bridges and other roadway infrastructure.

If this happens, the opportunity to enter the 21st Century in energy and transportation will have been squandered. The administration needs to provide the leadership and demand of Congress that these funds not be dispersed without strings, namely that states cannot fill their budget gaps by using these funds without first raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans, and that they implement plans to move towards clean transportation and energy alternatives.

Obama criticized Bush for failing to steer, and now he must Steer the Stimulus Package!