alternative energy

President Barack Obama delivered a speech yesterday citing depressing numbers about employment in the US but promising hope through innovation, green technologies, and assuring Americans that each was upon the horizon.

"The job figures released this morning show that we lost 467,000 jobs last month. And while the average loss of about 4,000 jobs (sic) per month this quarter is less devastating than the 700,000 per month that we lost in the previous quarter, and while there are continuing signs that the recession is slowing, obviously this is little comfort to all those Americans who have lost their jobs. . .

"I'm absolutely confident that we can, at this period of difficulty, prove, once again, what this nation can achieve, when challenged. And I'm confident that we're not only going to recover from this recession in the short term, but we're going to prosper in the long term."

Obama spoke about the importance of the Energy Bill passed in the house, saying it was a major step forward for progress. I would argue it was a limp and sluggish step forward because each step was made difficult by those being dragged along behind them. But indeed... forward.

He also spoke of the need for CEOs, small businesses, and companies to opt for innovation that develops not merely our economy but our work force while launching our country into the 21st century. If there is one thing the US has not been keen on the past few years its innovation, and Obama's urgency to develop technologies and cutting edge businesses is a noble task we should all shoulder.

"You know, so much of the debate around health care, so much of the debate around energy has been based on this idea that somehow if we stand still and we don't do anything that we're going to be better off. And that's just not how this world works. It's certainly not how the modern economy works.

We know we're going to have to change how we use energy. We know we're going to have to change how we operate our health care system. We know that we're going to have to change how we train our young people to compete in this new global economy.

And so to make the argument that somehow we should just lock in on the status quo or perpetuate the same policies that got us into this mess in the first place and that's somehow going to solve our problems just doesn't make any sense.

And what these folks are all about is the future."

I'm excited the President understands that training is an important part of what our generation will require, but I think beyond skill training young people can be on the front lines of the very innovation the President is calling for. Like Google, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, and more developing each day - young people are creating the super companies of the future that are not merely youth created but youth run by their youth employees. The old companies who continue to ignore the call for modernization are seemingly the companies faltering in innovation.

These topics and more are the major reason we are working to create a wonderful conference in the next few weeks with 80 Million Strong. Youth have a key role to play in our country's progress and the future the President speaks of. New speakers are signing on each day to attend and as a co-sponsor, FM will bring you all the details of the event.

Just today in Lansing, Obama spoke on the issue that concerns Michigan voters the most—the economy. With the decline of the auto industry, Michigan is a state enduring economic turmoil. In response, Obama laid out a plan to retool auto workers to enter positions in the alternative energy industry and to push for alternative energy development.

Obama’s plan is attractive to plenty of the state’s voters, whom are tired of the gloom and despair that haunt their personal finances and the state’s economy. They see energy as the best way out of the mess. In the polls, half of Michigan voters said energy issues matter more to them than the war in Iraq. 86% would like to see the government supporting renewable energy development, especially for solar and wind energy.

Our auto sector is already shifting their focus to developing biofuel, electric and hydrogen technologies from the pressure of high gas prices, new national fuel-economy standards and emission concerns. That means our engineers and workers are highly suited for alternative energy jobs. Our state is home to the nation’s first wood-to-ethanol plant and research and development on plug-in electric cars, lithium-ion batteries for electric and hybrid engines, propulsion inverters, lightweight materials and direct-injection diesel technology just to name a few.

So what other prospects does alternative energy hold for Michigan? And what other ways can we alleviate Michigan’s economic problems? These questions are explained and more at Michigan Youth Political Alliance.