Financial Shakeup this weekend

[emayer]

nplenzick wrote:

emayer wrote:

nplenzick wrote:

emayer wrote:

No intervention in stabilizing the mortgage crisis. Allow free market forces to play this out. A harsh and costly lesson indeed on the scale of the Great Depression, but one that will likely strengthen individual's and governmental fiscal responsibility moving forward.



Consider the creation of industrial zones with loosening of some environmental restrictions in these dedicated areas. Alternatively, taxation of industries within these areas can be reduced to assist in environmental compliance. Geographic consolidation will permit companies to collectively address environmental issues further reducing cost burden.

Aggressive pursuit of alternative energies including the reintroduction of nuclear power.

I agree with most of what you have suggested except these three statements.

I'm all for not bailing failing financial institutions but right now we have to do what ever it takes to keep this country out of a depression. Maybe your parents weren't old enough to live through it but mine were. It's something you and your children do not want to experience, believe me!

Why give any consideration to loosening environmental standards to industry? Unless you want this industrial zone in your backyard. This is just a step backwards as far as I'm concerned and just another excuse as to why we can't be competitive in the market place.

Nuclear power, well if and when they can ever make the disposal of the waste safe, then maybe. But I still remember what happened at Three Mile Island and how close we came to a complete melt down.

Good points!

My parents grew up during and in post-war Germany, our families essentially having to rebuild from rubble. I would argue that such hardships endear people with a greater appreciation of family, community, and civic responsibility which is sorely missing in this nation at present.

I agree that we shouldn't necessarily loosen environmental standards, just consolidate industries geographically to minimize environmental impact and contain costs. There are additional logistical benefits in doing this which would only benefit corporations. As an aside, there is a new coal powered energy plant not 3 miles from my house. You would never know its presence.

No one wants a nuclear plant in their backyard, but there are plenty of desolate regions throughout the country where these could be safely located. The technologies and saftery mecahnisms have evolved greatly since the 3-mile island accident of the 1970s. If you have the time, pull up a schematic of the Rhine, there are literally dozens of reactors along the borders!

As we have all said, meaningful change will require sacrifice and risk and you have correctly pointed out some of the concerns. Are we willing to accept these? Are there reasonable alternatives?

As for Obama and the Koran, I personally couldn't care less though I'm a bit perplexed. I know his father was Muslim, but isn't Obama Christian? If so, what was the intent of using the Koran if not to make some sort of statement? What is the message?

I'm no expert on post Word War II but didn't we help to some extent in the rebuilding process? Who's going to help us if we enter a depression? A depression that could very well be worse then what my parents lived through.

A coal fired plant my not be a problem at your house, but 100 miles down wind it could be causing a big problem. A quick ride through the higher elevations of the Appalachian mts and you'll see vast areas of acid rain damage. I don't know what our energy solutions are but it's something we should have our brightest scientists working on, not special interests!

Industries for the most part have been consolidated by local zoning laws. I for one wouldn't want the feds getting involved.

No doubt the US played an enormous role in stabilizing post-war Europe, but don't fool yourself. No GIs rolled up to rebuild my families' homes, communities, and businesses. It took the will and determination of a people striving to get back on their own two feet. This miraculous turnaround and the outcomes in the US following the Great Depression speaks volumes of what a populace can achieve under great duress. I didn't say it would be easy, but there is no reason to think that this couldn't happen again.

To get this country back on track what kind of concessions or sacrifices are you willing to make?