lansing speech

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.