AnalysisCap & TradeHR 2454

Includes a number of unconstitutionalelements, including circumventingstates' rights (10th), unreasonablesearch (4th) through Federalinspections.Grants broad, sweeping powers to theSecretaries of Energy and Housing.The essential premise of the bill acceptsas fact questionable science, underlyingthe entire foundation of the bill.Because of the broad powers granted,there will be many unelectedbureaucrats making many decisionsthat will affect all Americans.It creates many new layers of bureaucracy, which will hamperbusiness and cost additional taxpayerdollars.Imposes California building codes on all Americans.Will cause utility bills to skyrocket.Compare your electrical bill toChristina's of California, who pays$1,000 - $1,200 per month.Requires energy efficiency upgradesand Federal inspections be made madeto all homes to be soldCreates an environment of "cronyism"in which businesses and individualswill be appointed to a number of boardscreated by the bill, granting powers tosome American citizens not afforded toothers.Rewards some businesses and punishesothers through the creation of thecarbon credits exchange market.Businesses that do not produce energyor engage in manufacturing stand tomake a lot of money through the sale of their carbon credits.Rewards some businesses and punishesothers with "bonuses" and otherincentives to companies who produceparticular appliances and devices.Will balloon the cost of alreadyunsustainable entitlement programs bygranting utility bill subsidies to lowincome citizens already receiving publicassistance.

Authored by Joan Fabiano andShelli Dawdy, NE Grassroots

Grassroots effort is individu-als, who voluntarily, out of their own free will, choose toengage with other free willindividuals on projects thatfurther their shared goalsand on causes they believe in.It’s not a formalized organi-zation of group-think, or lay-ers of bureaucracy in theform of committees and sub-committees. It’s not a py-ramidal structure as hasbeen seen time and again ingovernment, in political par-ties, in 501c3’s or large corpo-rations.If that worked, would we allbe here today? If we createthis formal structure, howare we going to spark peopleto get involved, why wouldthey be invested in the proc-ess if they are not membersof the “Executive Committee”or “Board”?Grassroots is a collaborativeeffort of free individuals withthe help of the coordinationof an inspired facilitator orleader with a vision. A true leader doesn’t takecredit when things go right,but is willing to take theblame when things go wrong.They are usually reluctant,but out of a deep conviction of their beliefs, step forward. And a true leader is protec-tive of those who are look-ing for vision, guidance,and help.True leadership has a vi-sion and direction, but atthe same time has a will-ingness to make difficultdecisions when necessary.They are principled, andsometimes, out front, par-ticularly when they areavid seekers of the truth.I think it has been so long,and we have come so farfrom having that, when weare trying to do anything,we turn to the “default” forthe answers. The default isa very formalized, pyrami-dal structure with layers of bureaucracy. But bureauc-racy and pyramidal struc-tures trap potential andparalyze action.Did Paul Revere runaround consulting with acommittee before he jumped on his horse?True grassroots individualsencourage and inspire oneanother to use their talentsand skills to have an im-pact on the things they arepassionate about and agreeneed to be accomplished.Rather than going to the“default”, such as the py-ramidal structure, it wouldseem it is better to dothings in as free a manneras possible while still beingeffective.Rather than the failed pyra-mid, we need to try to dothings by project. Projectsthat are hubs of activity butconnected with one anotherand moving toward sharedgoals. Anyone who agreeswith the goals of a project isfree to join in. We are alladults who want to take per-sonal responsibility and wewant to get something done.In order to be most effective,a new grassroots movementshould focus on educatingand informing themselves,help one another do thesame, and share informationand try to educate the publicwhen appropriate. Leadersand members of the groupshould help get people thetools and skills they need toaccomplish these goals.If “all” a grassroots move-ment ever accomplished wasto move towards an informedelectorate, that would be aworthy accomplishment.But when an educated,skilled grassroots, project-oriented effort is moving to-ward the overall goal of mov-ing towards originally in-tended, Constitutionally lim-ited government, it’s difficultto imagine they can’t accom-plish more.