PEBO: Use It or Loose It

There's much to like in PE Obama's radio address. I support the elected, and wish them the best, even if I don't always agree with them. I treat the position, person, and their service with respect. I feel and am free to point out things I'm encouraged and discouraged about. Good to be American.

I am excited about the opportunities PEBO is presenting in response to the astounding job loss and suffering happening right now. I had a bit of a double take on one sentence - "Will your job or your husband’s job or your daughter’s or son's job be the next one cut?" Ok, is it picky? Yes. Is it interesting to me? Yes. While I've seen some PC writers use his/her, him/her, she/he and just the other day s/he, to be more admirably inclusive, I've never seen a direct statement to married women with children ( or men who are married to men with children ) on such an universal issue. I wonder what would be said about President Bush making the same statement? People are blogging about this, and it's fun to think about both sides huh?

Changing light bulbs to save energy has been joked about, when weighed against he immense inefficiencies in our energy production and usage. Statements like lights are generally used at a time of day when our electricity production remains the same, and consumption is the lowest make me think - use it or loose it. It's a place to start though, and gives some individuals an answer to "What can I do?" I resist those CFCs for their mercury and ugly colored light output and instead use low (40) watt light bulbs on dimers to save energy. I bought one of those new LED clustered bulbs, made without mercury, that is labeled "warm light" for my house on View St. It has a sickly bluish glow - too bad. I'm sure we'll eventually get better bulbs.

PEBO's "use it or loose it'' intention is great. We as citizens, need to look at the other side of this request carefully, and quickly, so we can deliver on the intent. "We’ll invest your precious tax dollars in new and smarter ways, and we’ll set a simple rule – use it or lose it. If a state doesn’t act quickly to invest in roads and bridges in their communities, they’ll lose the money."

Reference: 

Weekly Radio Address: President-elect Barack Obama lays out key parts of Economic Recovery Plan

First time both on-air and as a Web video