Questions of the Day for John McCain
May 12, 2008

1. John McCain has demonstrated a pattern of putting politics ahead of his principles. Why does he expect voters to trust him to change President Bush's failed energy policy when the lobbyists running his campaign have earned $13.1 million dollars lobbying for oil companies?

2. Which is more important to John McCain: his promise to appoint more judges who will gut environmental regulations or the climate change policies he is outlining today? If protecting the environment is a priority for McCain, why did he vote for every single one of President Bush's judicial picks?

3. Does John McCain agree with House GOP Whip Roy Blunt's statement that John McCain would offer a third Bush term on economic issues and that "there is nothing wrong with that?"

By Marjory Holder

I didn’t start life as a Democrat. Instead, I followed my parents very much like any young elephant.

Three things happened to change that.

The first happened in 1968 at a meeting of the Young Republicans where a good friend of mine suggested we raid the local Democratic headquarters and steal a pile of their election material to throw it away. I don’t know if the others went ahead with the plan, but I refused, and that was the end of the active phase of my membership in the GOP.

I did, however, continue to vote Republican for a while.

For one thing, fiscal responsibility has always appealed to me. I keep my own checkbook balanced and I think the federal government should, too.

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Mike McIntyre pledged to continue his work in Congress to protect the environment, and spur a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous economy for the American people as our nation celebrates Earth Day.

“We have a solemn responsibility to protect our planet and ensure we all have clean air to breathe and clean water to drink,” said McIntyre.

“Tomorrow, as on Earth Days for the past 38 years, many in our country will reflect upon our solemn responsibility to protect the natural environment from the adverse consequences of human activity, and to preserve it for future generations. On this Earth Day in 2008, there is no greater challenge to our responsible stewardship of the Earth and its resources than the threat of global climate change.

“Our government has ignored this threat for far too long. As the world’s largest per capita emitter of greenhouse gases, our nation must be a leader in finding clean energy solutions that will reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, create a new generation of jobs, and provide energy security for us and the generations to come.

As part of an ongoing effort to make the 2008 Democratic National Convention themost environmentally-sustainable Democratic Convention in history, House Speaker andPermanent Convention Chair Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Convention organizers today announcedthe "Green Delegate Challenge," offering special rewards for the delegation or delegations thatdemonstrate the highest level of commitment to offsetting their carbon footprint from attendingthe Convention, to be held August 25-28, 2008. Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Denver MayorJohn Hickenlooper, Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Democratic National ConventionCommittee (DNCC) CEO Leah D.

Kissell Committed to Sound Energy Policy, Creation of Green-Collar Jobs

The League of Conservation Voters, which works to turn environmental values into public policy, announced the endorsement of Larry Kissell for election to North Carolina's 8th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Legislation Cuts Handouts for Big Oil Companies & Protects Jobs, Environment

Representative Heath Shuler supported landmark energy legislation today that makes significant investments in renewable energy technologies to create jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and strengthen our national security, while ending taxpayer-funded subsidies to big oil companies.

“As oil prices reach over $100 a barrel and gas prices soar over $3.00 a gallon, our country must invest in new technologies and renewable energy production. The economy of the 21st Century demands that we be energy independent, and this legislation takes another step toward that goal,” Rep. Shuler said. “America has led innovation around the world before, and we must now lead the world in the use, development, and production of renewable energy.”

$1 Million Fund Will Help Companies Develop Cutting-Edge Green Technologies

Gov. Mike Easley announced that small business owners and entrepreneurs can apply today for the new North Carolina Green Business Fund grants. These competitive grants will help small businesses develop promising green and alternative energy technologies to bring cutting-edge, environmentally-friendly products and services to the marketplace.

“The Green Business Fund helps encourage the growth of North Carolina’s clean energy economy,” Easley said. “These grants will tap our state’s entrepreneurial talent and help North Carolina’s small businesses develop innovative technologies that are critical to our future growth.”

The General Assembly approved creation of the Green Business Fund last year and directed $1 million for the first round of grants. North Carolina-based small businesses with 100 or fewer employees can apply for grants to pursue original, pioneering ideas that are both good for the environment and good for the economy. A company can receive a maximum of $100,000 per grant. Deadline for grant applications is April 30, 2008.

The Durham Herald Company

The Federal Emergency Management Agency manipulated scientific research in order to play down the danger posed by formaldehyde in trailers issued to hurricane victims, according to an investigation by congressional Democrats released Monday.

Rep. Brad Miller, D-N.C., led the investigation.

FEMA "ignored, hid and manipulated government research on the potential impact of long-term exposure to formaldehyde" on Katrina and Rita victims now living in FEMA trailers, Democrats on a House Science and Technology subcommittee wrote in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. FEMA is part of the Homeland Security Department.

In a separate letter, lawmakers said the federal health agency that provided guidance to FEMA was "complicit in giving FEMA precisely what they wanted."