Revitalizing the American Infrastructure
America
is aging and in danger of passing its prime through an Infrastructure no longer
able to sustain the speed of which our society and our technology are
growing. Bridges crumbling, levees
failing, communications beginning to lag behind, the need for efficient and
clean energy distribution networks and a dependence, an addiction to foreign
fuel, all contribute to an increasingly dangerous combination of factors which
ultimately result in a National Security crisis. By harnessing the potential of Hemp, both as
energy and a means to raise revenue, the United States has the ability to
ensure domestic continuity while creating the potential of millions of
jobs. There are two primary issues to be
considered when discussing the portion of the National “Hemp Tax” dedicated to
Infrastructure upgrades and repairs. The
first is to supplant fossil fuels as the primary transportation fuel in the United
States with CNG and bio-based fuel produced from Hemp. The second is to develop a program from which
to fund the necessary Infrastructure upgrades and repairs to ensure a secure
and functioning society.
The
Nation of Brazil has shown that by using an inferior crop, a modern nation is
able to supply its transportation needs independent from imported fuels. The technology behind bio-based fuels is not
only available, but under the guiding hand of current fuel industry and
automotive leaders, contains a potential of growth large enough to fuel decades
of innovation and advance. Combining
known factors with American ingenuity and economic potential, a viable,
efficient and economic fuel standard should be within easy reach of a Nation
willing and dedicated. As a base for a
bio-fuel, Hemp is the crop which offers the greatest promise. Not only is Hemp the most effective crop for
the production of bio-fuels, but Hemp has the ability to be grown and refined
in all Fifty States in an unlimited supply.
By taking advantage of this crop and its potential, the United States
will not only reemerge as a technological and economic leader, but it will be
free from the entangling foreign ties which currently bind this Nation.
In
the development of a Hemp based bio-fuel, all interested parties should be brought
to the table from existing petroleum based corporations to individuals
experimenting in garages, the goal being to produce the most efficient and
economical fuel and associated delivery systems. When a fuel quality standard is achieved, a
concentrated effort by the three primary American auto manufacturers and any
who choose to enter into this industry to begin building, using all available
technology, safe and efficient bio-fuel, hybrid, electric and CNG
vehicles. The switch over from petroleum
to modern service stations, the installation of bio-fuel and CNG and the
reduction in petroleum fuel delivery systems, should be subsidized using funds
diverted from those which had been developing the bio-fuel standard. In the automotive industry, certain foreign
trading partners would have to be allowed in as well, but there is no reason
not to give the Big 3 three steps toward the door. By choosing the standard bio-fuel quality and
taking bold action in the active production of both automobile technology and
raw fuel resources, the United States takes advantage not only from its
preeminent place amongst the Nations, but the unique magnificence of its arable
land. By setting the standards while
sitting on the world’s richest farmland, the ‘Breadbasket’, ensures that the
United States can never again be held hostage through oil.
The second issue and the funding attached is that
of modernizing and repairing Infrastructure, from hard targets such as levees,
bridges, pipelines and dams to energy and communication networks. The first focus should start with investing
in other alternate energy sources such as solar and wind, the building of which
has the ability to provide quite a few jobs around the country. As this green energy production spreads, so
should the investment of expanding a full-range, upgradeable communications
network extending hi-speed access across the Nation. The next issue of importance should be on
public works projects designed to secure cities that geographically are
perilous such as the levees along the Mississippi and breakwaters in the
Gulf. Bridges, highways,
railways…anything that is connected to the physical transportation systems need
to be inspected, repaired and updated, priority based on need, to ensure
availability to all critical transportation needs such as Defense and food
distribution.
The
potential for jobs at this point is phenomenal and offers a chance at real,
continued economic growth being that each year, more and more funds will become
available. The contracts for any work
done through this program should first be available to contractors local to
where the work is being performed with emphasis suggesting local hiring
first. This prevents a small handful of
interests to monopolize entire segments of nationwide contracts. More importantly, this spreads the
opportunity for employment nationwide as the potential funds grow. As the wealth of productivity is spread, from
the contractor on a work site to the waitress he tips at lunch, more commerce
is established allowing for a more dynamic overall economy.
No comments:
Post a Comment