Florida's Green Conservatives

States' Rights versus Federal Rights

2011-03-12T09:45:00.001-08:00

New conservatives need to end the tired old debate of state versus federal rights.

States’ rights versus federal’s rights have always been a strategy to circumvent the law of the land. The old conservatives have argued in favor of states being allowed to make laws contrary to the federal government, because they thought they could build a majority in their state that would support whatever issue they wanted to pass or repeal.

This has always been bad political practice, but they argue that they have been anti “this” or “that” based purely on the issue of states’ rights. For example, many older conservatives still argue against civil rights because they say it violated their state’s rights to choose. Was that really the issue or did they oppose civil rights and use the states’ right issue as cover?

If the states’ were to side with same sex marriage advocates, then would hard core right wingers accept same sex marriage or would they fight it through the federal government?

In true form, the federal government makes standard laws that everyone must adhere to, but state and local government can strengthen those laws in their particular geographic area. However, the state or local government cannot make laws that are contrary to the federal laws. For instance, if the federal law says, “No property taxes can be levied against the people”, then no state or local government can make a property tax. They might be capable of creating a sales tax if no federal law prevented them.

Another instance might be on food safety. The federal law might mandate a certain level of protection. A state or local government could not go below that standard but they could exceed it. In other words, they could strengthen the federal law which is the baseline.

The Issue of Clean Energy

2011-03-12T09:34:00.001-08:00

The coal and natural gas industry have been promoting their energy as clean energy, but they are spreading misinformation. Coal and natural gas are both resource intensive businesses and produce pollution on large scales. Coal, by its very nature, is dirty. Natural gas when compared to crude oil may appear clean, but the fact is they are different sides of the same coin.

The efforts to store pollution underground is used by the industry, but this policy of hiding waste underground does not address the basic fact that it still exists. There are consequences to this policy that will come to light eventually. Coal and natural gas are not clean, and the ads that the fossil fuel industry run need to stop.

Coal mining also produces polluted water and runoff which damages local ecosystems. Mine remediation does not restore the ecosystem at a deep level. It merely superficially cleans up an old mine. The mining operations also disrupt the natural state that would normally exist.

Clean energy is just a term that a dying industry has erected to buy them time in the face of change. Fossil fuels are not renewable and this is the hidden fact that clean energy tries to conceal.

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam: Green or Not?

2011-02-26T14:50:00.001-08:00

The voting record of elected officials is the only true way to determine if a politician is green or not. Recently, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam (R-Florida) voted Not Voting on Rural Energy Savings Program Act, which Passed the House. The bill that would authorize $5 billion over five years to create two energy efficiency loan programs. He also voted Not Voting on the Healthy, Hunger-Free Act of 2010 which would increase spending on child nutrition programs.

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam (R-Florida) voted Nay on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2011, which Passed the House. This approved this $126.3 billion legislation funding the Department of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and other related agencies. He voted Nay on FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, which Passed. He voted Nay on Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act, which Passed. This bill would establish new reporting requirements for corporations, unions and other interest groups for campaign-related activities. He voted Not Voting on To broaden access to the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, which Passed. This legislation would allow the Obama administration to withdraw more money from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund in order to better respond to the Gulf of Mexico oil accident. He voted Nay on America COMPETES Reauthorization Act, which Passed. The House passed it, to invest in innovation through research and development and to improve the competitiveness of the United States, by a recorded vote of 262 ayes to 150 noes. He voted Nay on Home Star Energy Retrofit Act, which Passed. This measure that would authorize a $6.6 billion rebate program for energy-efficient home renovations for households with incomes up to $250,000.

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam (R-Florida) voted Yea on Clean Estuaries Act of 2010, which Passed. This bill that would authorize $50 million annually through fiscal 2016 for the EPA's National Estuary Program and would require the EPA to evaluate estuary management plans every four years. He voted Nay on Castle Nugent National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2010, which Passed to establish the Castle Nugent National Historic Site at St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands. (Source: www.congress.org )

Overall, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam has not shown a firm resolve in sustainable policies that will move Florida forward and secure its future fiscal stability. Voting against energy efficiency is the counter movement of fiscal responsibility. This entry only contains a snapshot of his votes, so research his entire voting record since the 2010 elections and determine for yourself.

Creationism Clarification

2011-02-16T11:18:00.000-08:00

Green conservatives support the belief that God created everything. They, however, also support the idea that evolution is sound science that works through the fundamental laws of nature.

Green conservatives support religious tolerance. Green conservatives can include Christians, Muslims, Buddhist, Hindus and Pagans as well as other minor religions. It is a conservative movement that believes in the rights of the people to choose and worship as they choose.

The Abortion Issue

2011-02-16T11:16:00.001-08:00

Green conservatives support pro-life over pro-choice. They believe abortion is only suitable under these circumstances:

1) In the case of rape.

2) In the case of possible death of mother during childbirth.

3) In the case of a known deformed fetus.

In any case, a mother may choose to have a baby even under the above mentioned circumstances; however, a mother cannot be forced to give birth under those circumstances.

Gun Rights and Safety

2011-02-16T11:15:00.001-08:00

Conservatives believe in the right to bear arms, and green conservatives support basic gun rights. These gun rights should include basic ownership on handguns for self and home protection. They should also include guns for hunting. However, gun rights should be regulated to ensure safety. Every gun should be registered and all gun owners must have proper training and certification that ensures they know when and how they should carry and use a gun for lawful purposes.

On Same Sex Marriage

2011-02-16T11:14:00.001-08:00

Green conservatives support traditional family structures but also acknowledge the rights of others. It, therefore, supports the same sex marriage compromise.

The issue of same sex marriage is a controversial issue, but a pragmatic solution will bring the controversy and debate to an end. The solution can be reached through a compromise that satisfies both sides. If any argument persists, then it will be deemed irrational, because the solution fits the problem better than any alternative.

This is the solution:

Licenses will be issued for same sex marriages and these marriages will be legal in the eyes of the state and laws of the state. However, no church may be forced to wed a same sex couple if their religion opposes it. The same sex couple must find a church that will perform the ceremony in accord with the religion of the church.

This solution protects the sanctity of particular churches and congregations that oppose same sex marriages on religious grounds of belief, and it also gives legal rights to same sex couples in the eyes of the law.

On Same Sex Marriage

2011-02-16T11:13:00.001-08:00

Green conservatives support traditional family structures but also acknowledge the rights of others. It, therefore, supports the same sex marriage compromise.

This is the solution:

A New Immigration Policy

2011-02-16T11:12:00.001-08:00

Green conservatives support comprehensive immigration reform rather than the far right agenda of sealing off the boarders and the deportation of 12 million immigrants. This is one of those issues where it makes more sense to be practical and address the needs of everyone involved rather than take a polarized approach that only considers one political interest.

If 12 million people unite and decide to stay, then who can compel them to leave the U.S.? If they are supported by up to 50% of the U.S. population which is the current situation, then how can they be forced to leave the U.S. without an all-out war?

Any immigration policy must consider every basic point of view, because it involves the lives and livelihoods of real people. Immigrants are people who migrated for various reasons, and it is irrational to consider them based on the pretext that they are all the same.

The reality of the United States relationship to Latin America and the Caribbean must be considered from a position of friendliness rather than isolation. If the U.S. fails to cooperate with other nations in the Western Hemisphere, then it will be at a disadvantage in the coming decades. Can the U.S. find a reasonable path to comprehensive immigration that does not involve the forced deportation, criminalization of immigration, relocation of millions of immigrants, and the isolation of the U.S. by fences and barriers to migration?

Basic Conservative Values

2011-02-16T11:11:00.001-08:00

The basic values of the conservative wing include:

1) Traditional family structure.

2) Pro life

3) Supports religious and community based social programs.

4) Pro death penalty.

5) Pro business.

6) Pro gun ownership.

7) Low Taxes

8) Creationism by evolution.

9) Environmental stewardship

Some conservatives support state’s rights over the federal government. However, this typically is only an issue when the state’s lawmakers are at odds with a federal law. Therefore, state’s right is just a political tactic rather than an actual conservative value.

Green Conservative Movement

2011-02-16T11:10:00.000-08:00

There is a fundamental need for a conservative green movement. Many conservatives have supported green concepts and principles, but have been outspoken by the conservative branch that is anti environment and irrationally pro deregulated businesses.

Green conservative values are rooted in reasonable beliefs about social responsibility, fiscal discipline, environmental conservation, and individual rights and responsibilities.

Green values are:

1) Reason over fear.

2) Logic over ignorance.

3) Unity over fragmentation.

4) Order over confusion.

5) Discernment over misinformation.

The basic values of green conservative are more practical than ideological in policy making, because ideology often falls short of the demands of reality.

Synergy of Fiscal Discipline and Green Policies

2010-11-27T11:37:00.001-08:00

Some people would argue that fiscal success can only be achieved through green policies, but, perhaps, the better argument is that the combination of fiscal discipline and green policies will create a synergy that will benefit both.

Fiscal discipline is rooted in concepts like less government waste, smaller government, and lower taxes. Those concepts are not dissimilar from green policies which stress less waste, more compact infrastructure, and reduced costs. They can feed upon each other to ensure a sustainable state.

The transportation infrastructure in Florida is a prime example of an issue which can mix fiscal discipline and green policies. In the past, so called conservatives supported constant road building and road widening projects, but in doing so, they increased costs associated with transportation, absorbed large sums of taxes, increased the burden of government, and increased the maintenance needs of the transportation system. Ultimately, the road system was overbuilt and overextended. Now, the auto dominated system that is in place cannot support itself, and the cost to maintain it will continue to rise.

A better fiscal and environmental policy is to support and expand a mixed use transportation system that includes pedestrian oriented neighborhoods, bicycle friendly streetscapes, electric vehicle infrastructure, buses and rail. In the first place, such a policy will require fewer resources and will be more compact and easier to maintain. Secondly, a properly designed public transportation system will pay for itself over time.

It is imperative that conservatives as well as centrists and liberals come together to support sustainable policies that will improve the economy, reduce waste, and sustain the state.