Pickens Plan District Group FL-20

Comment

Comment by Jeff Greene on January 30, 2009 at 9:44am

On February 3rd, AJC and the Broward Federation are co-sponsoring a program entitled "Energy Independence: The Path to America's Freedom". Our featured speakers will include (1) Paul Hirschson, Consul - Political & Economic Affairs, from the Israeli Consulate, (2) George Philippidis, the Associate Director of FIU's Applied Research Center and (3) James F. Murley, Director of FAU's Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions, who recently was appointed by Governor Crist to the Florida Energy and Climate Commission.

Go to www.jewishbroward.org to register. There is no fee to attend and light refreshments will be served.

Comment by Jeff Greene on January 30, 2009 at 8:34am

I was asked my opinion on the economy and felt like I needed to share. As an economics major I have been fascinated by the ignorance of many of the general public.

Starting in 1990s, No doc and "lite doc" loans permeate mortgage industry, opening financing to millions of self-employed, non-traditional employed people.

Summer of 2008 - Gasoline and Diesel surpass $4 per gallon

2004-08, Adjustable rate mortgage loans increase to a level that is not payable by borrowers. Loans were sold originally by telling customers they can refinance before they increase but when credit crunch happens refinancing dried up.

Shipping, air travel and food prices increase, profits fall due to increased fuel prices. If the product is shipped, cost increased that was either passed to the consumer or reduced profits

Savings, while already low was eroded in the middle class with $200-300 per month increases in fuel, food and credit costs.

Credit card payments, the first thing to go starts to cripple the banking industry.

Mortgage payments, the last thing to go follows suit and causing the banking catastrophy.

Secondary credit markets on Wall Street shy away from mortgage backed securities tightening the noose.

Bank liquidity issues causes credit card rates to increase, furthering the credit crunch.

Behavior change #1 - higher fuel prices creates conservation and alternative fuel movement

Behavior change #2 - Fraud permeating Wall Street creates more conservative investment market

The New Economy -

History repeats itself. the millions of new homeowners created with loose credit reverts as no doc and alternative verification is eliminated , causing real estate prices to revert to 1980 prices before the new borrowers were brought into the market.

Retail spending goes online, as online buying from out of state eliminates sales tax, the sales tax revenue is slashed. Causing either internet taxation or a new tax method.

Alternative fuels are embraced, causing a reduction in the gas tax revenues received by the DOT. Causing a new tax method.

Expanding economy- Healthcare (babyboomers getting old), alternative fuel (infrastructure and vehicle sales and service, online purchasing expands non-retail warehousing to reduce costs, groceries as less eating out occurs, and a large increase in home renters increases real estate investor market for high net worth upper class.

Contracting economy- Retail stores, gasoline stations, restaurants and primary residence home buyers.

As we move forward, understand the reason the stimulus is important, it will take money to get out of our recession, Trillions of dollars will be lost by investors, if we can not get our consumer confidence up and get banks to loan money and consumers to spend we will be in a depression. Obama is doing what he thinks is best and based on the fact that the expanding economy requires capital I believe it is the right thing to do. We have ignored the environment for over 100 years, since electricity and the combustion engine were invented. I have been a Republican my whole life but I do support his plan.

Comment by Jeff Greene on January 27, 2009 at 11:56am

Debbie Wasserman-Schultz has been invited to the Clean Cities meeting on February 13th.

Comment by Jeff Greene on January 27, 2009 at 11:55am

I have a meeting on Friday with some State and local politicians. I will update after the meeting.

Comment by Jeff Greene on January 27, 2009 at 11:37am

Debbie Wasserman-Schultz was contacted. I requested a meeting on her site and let her staff know about the situation.

Comment by Renee Klink on January 27, 2009 at 11:21am

Your help needed today!

Boone and the Pickens Plan need your help! As you saw from Boone's email last Friday, the stimulus package will be voted on tomorrow in the House, and it includes wind energy elements that are in line with the Pickens Plan.

We need you to make a phone calls today to your Congressman and Senators. To find the phone number of your Member of Congress, go to the House of Representatives website and the U.S. Senate website and enter the info when prompted. It will give you complete contact info, including the phone number.

Here are some talking points to use when you call your Congressman or Senator's office:

1. Urge them to tell House Leadership that their constituents support the wind energy elements included in the Stimulus Bill which will build upon 2008's successes in the wind energy sector:
-- Extension of the Production Tax Credit
-- Implementation of a renewable infrastructure loan program

2. We hope they're willing to do more on the natural gas side and provide the incentives that will greatly expand the use of domestic natural gas as a vehicle fuel in America. Expanded use of NGVs (natural gas vehicles) will help wean us off of foreign oil and create new American jobs. These incentives include:
-- Increasing the vehicle tax credit to make natural gas trucks more accessible for heavy and medium duty truck operators
-- Extending the fuel tax credit

3. The Pickens Plan works best as a whole plan - wind and natural gas - and we hope Members of Congress will support that. The Stimulus Bill is a strong start but there's more we can - and should – do.

Once you make your call, leave a comment here to let us know how it went. Or email me directly – renee.klink@pickensplan.com. (And be sure to give me your name and email address so we can make sure you get the 10 MyEnergy points we are awarding for each phone call.)

Good luck, and let's get it done!

Comment by Andres Lartitegui on January 27, 2009 at 7:34am

Hi Hugh,

As far as I know both Jeff and I live in Weston as well. Let's get together on Feb. 17th.!!!

Andres

Comment by J.P. on January 27, 2009 at 4:39am

Jeff,looking forward to being able to meet you there, if not @ Clean Cities the next event..JP

Comment by Jeff Greene on January 27, 2009 at 4:29am

Thanks JP, you will back just in time for the Clean Cities meeting on Feb 13. Check out the events calendar to get the address in Hollywood. Hope to see you there.

Comment by J.P. on January 26, 2009 at 4:18am

Jeff et al;

I would like to join in! I am going on vacation 29th thru 11th but, when I return would like to contribute, would love to have one of the new cng, light pick up can't wait to help that happen. Thanks in advance for all that the group is going to do!! Want to meet everyone soon.
JP Newell

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