European nations are continuing to invest in bike lanes and facilities. While Congress is funding "bridges to nowhere" in its huge, pork-laden annual highway bills, cities in Europe are working to get beyond car culture. It seems inconceivable that the
US would implement a strategy to get people onto bikes, even though they are healthy, affordable, eco-friendly and a great alternative to vehicles. But isn't this something we should consider along with public transportation and more efficient vehicles?
Places like London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Paris have wet winters, like many of our cities. Yet people bike and are happy about it. There are bike lanes so riders don't have to worry about car conflicts. There are huge bike parking lots near train
stations and commercial centers. This kind of investment makes tremendous long-term sense. I won't accept the shibboleth that Americans won't ride their bikes to work. If they could do so safely and conveniently, many would commute by bicycle regularly.
Lack of Katrina response by our government was inexcusable
Q: The Democrats talk a lot about the failure of the president with Hurricane Katrina. The governor of that state was a Democrat; the mayor of that city is a Democrat as well.
A: Well, there was politics. All of a sudden, other states that had the
similar devastation got better treatment, like Mississippi. This is what I would do. The response of our government to Katrina, before, during and after, was inexcusable. We have got to eliminate in the future any red tape that helps the devastation.
Secondly, we have to let those that live there to come back first, instead of big moneyed interests. We have to stop the predatory lending of insurance companies, housing and many others that are ripping off the people.
And then, finally, we have to make sure that a president cares--and doesn't just pose for photo ops, but makes a difference and a commitment to rebuild that city and that region.
Q: Would you support a federal law guaranteeing the right to return to New Orleans and other Gulf regions devastated by Hurricane Katrina?
GRAVEL: Yes.
DODD: I would as well. New Orleans and Katrina have become a symbol of everything that went
wrong with this administration's failure to respond to a people in need.
CLINTON: I have proposed a 10-point Gulf Coast Recovery Agenda, because even if we were to give people a right, there is nothing to return to.
RICHARDSON: Yes, I would support
that. I would also support the Katrina Recovery Act. This has been the most disgraceful episode in an American response to help our own people. What we need to do in this country is not just atone for a miserable performance before, during and after
Katrina, but for the future [by reforming FEMA & federal emergency loan rules]. We also need to say to the insurance companies: You have to insure these people and rebuild homes in Louisiana.
EDWARDS: This is an issue I care about personally & deeply.
Require renewable technologies and ask for conservation
I was Energy secretary; in my state, we call it the Clean Energy State. We have incentives for solar, wind, biomass, biofuels. We require renewable technologies -- 20 percent of our electricity. What would help in the short term -- give the states the
authority to engage in serious price-gouging investigation. We need an Apollo program led by a president asking every American to sacrifice, to conserve, that would reduce our dependence on foreign oil, which is 65 percent imported, to 10.
Source: 2007 Dem. debate at Saint Anselm College
Jun 3, 2007
Expand and create new state parks
As we expand our economy, we must always remember that the great natural beauty of New Mexico, the pristine gift of our land and sky is who we are-loving and protecting our land, air, and water pervades every aspect of what it means to be a New Mexican.
We are expanding and creating new state parks, because there is no greater responsibility given to government than the preservation of our environment-our way of life. I will never shirk from that responsibility.
Source: State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature
Jan 20, 2004
Develop a comprehensive water management plan
Water remains the key to our future - and committing the resources to use it more wisely, stretch it farther and conserve it better is a critical priority. We have $2.7 billion of community water and wastewater needs to be met between now and 2007. We
must commit the resources & put a funding plan in place to address those needs. I want every water system to develop a comprehensive water management plan, and when possible, work with other communities to develop regional systems that combine resources.
Source: State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature
Jan 20, 2004
