News Item

Real Leadership, Real Solutions (Va. Dem. Candidate Tom Perriello)

The current energy crisis is the top economic, environmental and national security challenge we face, but it’s also our best opportunity. Unfortunately, Washington is once again offering two cent solutions to a four dollar crisis. Republicans are pulling stunts on the House floor and blaming environmentalists; Democrats are blaming Oil Executives but missing the opportunity to do something about oil speculators. Neither party has shown any willingness to get anything done for the weak US dollar, accelerating energy efficiency technology to market or incentivizing alternatives. Here in Southside Virginia, when I ask voters what their leadership should be doing, the answer is hear is “SOMETHING!”

We need a new kind of politics that puts right and wrong ahead of right and left. I believe we need long-term energy solutions, and the Fifth District of Virginia should be leading the new energy economy. The sad thing about Washington is that it’s cheaper for the auto industry to buy off politicians than it is to make me a more fuel efficient truck. Our system has become so corrupt that it’s clear Washington politicians now speak for Wall Street, not Main Street.

People are tired of stunts in Washington. People want action. Our generation is not being asked to put a man on the moon. We’re being asked to balance the budget, provide health care to our citizens, and become energy independent. We need new people in Congress who care more about results than excuses.