An actual opportunity for change

The election by House Dems of Henry Waxman to succeed John Dingell as the chairman of the Energy and Commerce committee is a big deal. Dingell is literally married to GM (his wife was one of their lead lobbyists for years, and still senior executive for them). He has, since 1955 when he first took over the seat, derailed good environmental regulation of all sorts.

Dingell's been one of the leading voices against clean car legislation, which would mandate a cut in tail pipe emissions, and time and again stood up against the tyranny of higher fuel effeciency standards. His argument each time has been that the development of the technology necessary to implement such changes would amount to an unbearable burden by the auto industry.

As a contextual note, the Model T Ford got better gas mileage then the average American car on the road gets today. And somehow, without the burden of having to clean up, the auto industry is repeatedly before Congress now, hat in hand.

By contrast, Rep. Waxman is a champion for the environment, and has shown himself to be willing to speak truth to power. He was the primary author of the Safe Climate Act, to date the only major bill that has actually proposed to mandate the cuts in greenhouse gas emissions scientists the world over have said are necessary to stave off the worst effects of climate change, 25% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.

This change happened with the tacit support of the Obama administration (his transition team just appointed Waxman's former senior legislative aide as the congressional liason for his administration), as well as with that of Pelosi.

This is the real deal. This could and should be the start of sweeping change to energy legislation, creating a million jobs nationwide with an Apollo Project style commitment to clean energy sources. This could be new innovation, smarter use of existing technology. A rebuilding of American dominance of the energy market. An actual American commitment to being good at something again that's actually good for the world. An America that actually makes something.

This opens the door. I am enjoying looking through.

Cool

The Senator for Illinois took the helm with the same calm, cool, collected demeanor with which he does most things. His speech was measured, and laid out the challenges ahead while paying heed to those who helped him along the way.

Surrounded by organizers, volunteers, and canvassers, we all watched him and cheered as though we were right there with him. People danced in the streets outside, and the downtown mall was impassable.

This is the supreme validation of grassroots organizing, of the kind of shoe-leather politics I have committed myself too. The margin of victory in VA was less then the number of people we registered to vote in that state; it is enough to give me faith, to let me hold out hope that in the face of injustice and iniquity, there is recourse for the people.

We can remake the future, together.

It was the first national mood I've seen since 9/11, and the launchpad feeling of it for the new president feels similar as well. Perhaps those who did not vote for the candidate are not excited, but the feeling of renewal and unity is unmistakable. As we all danced in the streets last night, we can all know. This is our time, our moment. Maybe we can't solve all the problems, but for now I won't feel like it's a wast of time trying.