A View from the Deck: The Great 'Green' Scam

"Go Green, Recycle!" "Cash for Clunkers." "Incandescent Light bulbs a thing of the Past." These are only a few examples of the push (more like an unwilling shove) in the direction of trying to make our society more 'Green'.

But, is any of it real and effective? Does the outrageous cost of a hybrid vehicle really equate to savings? Are solar panels efficient? Are those lightbulbs that contain hazardous mercury vapor really more efficient than the old ones, or is it all just a scam to get you to let go some of your own hard-earned 'green'?

I grew up in rural Eastern Tennessee. We were dirt-poor farmers, but we had a better understanding of the importance of taking care of our natural resources and 'repurposing' than most of the egghead academics sitting comfortably in climate-controlled classrooms 'educating' students at overpriced universities. We were taught to replace what we used, use everything available, and to do what we could with what we had. We turned out lights that weren't being used. We only kept the house warm in the winter during the daytime, and then only if we were home. We hunted and fished to augment our foodstock. We planted for three seasons, then burned the fields during the fourth to return nutrients to the soil.

Now, we live in an age of the 'Eco-mindful'. We all know them. They give you dirty looks as you drive by in your SUV, or have too many lights on your house during the Christmas (Yes, I said Christmas, not Holiday) season. They lobby for 'Green Energy' and get the mindless minions of Hollywood to tout their 'Snake Oil'. I'm not buying a hybrid Because Lindsey Lohan says to. Last time I checked, she had her license revoked for DUI.

Okay, there's no argument that we need to conserve. And we do need to RESEARCH and DEVELOP other alternatives to end our dependence on foreign oil. But trying to push ineffective, unproven 'alternative' energy programs at taxpayer expense as the Messiah, I mean Obama administration, has done, such as in the case of Solyndra, is most certainly NOT the answer. America has ample oil reserves both on and offshore. Why is it that other nations are allowed to drill in these regions and not us? Why are we driving up the cost of corn, thereby driving up the price of over 90% of our food products, by refining ethanol and adding it to our gasoline, thus making our fuel-efficiency plummet? And did you realize that it costs three times as much to refine one gallon of ethanol than it does gasoline? And why aren't farmers that plant corn seeing these profits?

Al "I invented the internet" Gore, has pushed his 'snake oil' regarding 'Green' energy and 'Global Warming' on the American people for well over a decade. That Gore and others like him, people of privilege, have vested interests in several companies receiving your hard-earned taxpayer money for research goes mostly unnoticed by those that would prefer us all to purchase bicycles to commute and make coffee using solar panels.

Then there are the 'Green' buildings going up all over the area. They tout how they use only highly-efficient materials in the construction and use only approved settings for climate control. That's great. The only problem is that all of these are NEW construction, ignoring the previously-built 'empty boxes' that permeate most of our cities. Wouldn't a better, more 'Green'  answer be to repurpose an existing structure, therefore passing the savings on to everyone? No, because there's no money to be made in it.

And that's what it really boils down to, as most things do. 'Going Green' is going to cost you some serious green. And make no mistake, the companies that are selling this stuff are making some serious profits.

I have nothing against the 'Eco-Mindful', those that recycle, drive hybrids, watch their energy consumption, and do all they can to preserve our natural resources. But a part of me wonders how they can afford it when I'm struggling to fill the tank of my old car. Many would say "Get something more fuel-efficient," but until this administration pulls its head out of its collective hole and does something about rising gas prices and electrical rates, I'll keep doing the best I can with what I have.

You see, I can't afford to go 'Green', not as it exists right now anyway.Hopefully, people will wake up and discover what 'Going Green' really means.

Thank you all for listening, and I welcome your comments, especially those that have a differing opinion. After all, that's what America is all about.

I have to go now and wind up the rubber band on the car.