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Edited on Fri Oct-07-05 12:32 PM by calimary
We could launch an entire new industry, HERE in America, "of the people, by the people and for the people," as it were. It would benefit us in terms of increased R&D, which would stop the brain drain going on now, as people in the scientific community realize they're shackled to someone else's narrow biblical view if they stay here, and starved and frozen, and in some cases perhaps even outlawed into extinction if they refuse.
That R&D would produce goods and services we can't even imagine now, which means more productivity, job generation, expansion, increased tax revenue, and an uptick in the national morale. You'd see FAR LOWER numbers slanting toward the "the country has gone seriously off on the wrong track" poll question. With more jobs being created, more people working and generating paychecks and paying their bills and improving their standard of living, even slightly, there'd be greater consumer confidence. The glaring OTHER reality every time you fill up your gas tank with more and more expensive gasoline, it's unavoidable to compare how your own income to offset that expense has NOT increased correspondingly (indeed, for many Americans who've had to swallow union contract reversals and lower pay or givebacks of some benefits, there's actually been serious ground LOST). If people's bottom lines began to improve, that would at least take some of the sting out of rising prices and expenses.
Besides, just about now, we DESPERATELY NEED something to perk up the national morale. This is as bad, no wait. This is WORSE, than it was during Carter's administration, when he came down from the mountain after a weekend of serious meditation and inward-turning at Camp David, and gave his "national malaise" speech. Nobody wanted to hear about how bummed out Americans are becoming. Even if it was true, and it was because of the rotten economy, nobody wants to hear it. Nobody wants it pushed in his/her face. We'd rather think about something else, change the subject, try to find a way to be upbeat. About SOMETHING.
BTW - THAT is why Reagan cliqued when he did. He ran in 1980 to unseat Jimmy Carter and as we all know he was quite successful. Why? Because after Carter had set this new, glum tone of "malaise in America," suddenly, here comes Mr. Sunshine, Ronnie-baby, with his "it's morning again in America!" He was out there with his movie-star cred and his years establishing himself politically as California governor, presumed presidential candidate (gave Ford a run for his money in 1976 when Ford was going after an elected term in his own right), and then daily radio commentator in the interim. And he's all smiles and good looks and knowing how to play to the camera and present himself as irresistably charming and a refreshing change and a tonic to the spirit with some old-fashioned can-do stuff. He was an upper. Carter was a downer. People want upper. Tastes better and is easier to swallow. That's what this country could use now like gangbusters, because it's worse, and the malaise is worse, than during Carter. Maybe not in specific numbers, but in magnitude of problem.
It would just be such a benefit to launch something like this. Think if we had started down this road after September 11th, 2001, instead of the road of the wars. What if we took a different tack entirely? What if bush had taken that "bullhorn moment" and transformed himself into a latter-day JFK? He could have. And he was exquisitely positioned, as an oil man, to do it, in the same vein as "only Nixon could go to China." It could have been a new national quest not unlike the ambitious goal Kennedy set for the space program in general, and landing on the moon before decade's end more specifically. Imagine if bush had announced a national project to wean ourselves off of oil PERIOD, and develop alternative energy sources that address consumption, costs, renewability, and impact on the environment...before THIS decade is out. Just imagine that! He would truly have become a towering figure, daring us to get out of our lazy complacency and off our butts, and all pull together as a nation toward this great goal. This would truly be a noble cause. And he would have genuinely and legitimately deserved a LOT of credit. I think if he'd done that, there'd be a fair amount of people here on DU who would support it. I myself am LONGING to hear someone in leadership say this sort of thing. It would be a legacy well worth having for somebody.
REALLY important, too, that we get somebody out there, as a Democratic version of "Mr. Sunshine," and start spreading a credible message about how we can do better and start picking up people's moods. That's one of the BIG things we should be doing to start winning again. Dean is doing it a little but not enough and not loudly or prominently-enough. Needs to be on the air a LOT more.
Aw crap - sorry this is so long...
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