/blog en drew@harper2010.com Copyright 2010 2010-09-03T14:52:26+00:00 http://www.harper2010.com/site/more-research-in-new-energy-technologies/ http://www.harper2010.com/site/more-research-in-new-energy-technologies/#When:14:52:26Z The BP oil spill in the gulf, and yesterday the explosion on another rig in the gulf, show that we need to accelerate our push toward clean, renewable energy production.  Safe domestic oil exploration will remain part of our current energy strategy, but the future of energy must lie in new green technologies. The BP oil spill in the gulf, and yesterday the explosion on another rig in the gulf, show that we need to accelerate our push toward clean, renewable energy production.  Safe domestic oil exploration will remain part of our current energy strategy, but the future of energy must lie in new green technologies. Just today, I read Andrew Revkin’s very interesting discussion with Bill Gates in the NY Times about the need for increased research into new energy technology.  Bill Gates, in addition to his foundation’s work on infectious diseases in poor countries, is a member of the American Innovation Energy Council which has called for a national energy policy that would increase U.S. investment in energy research every year from $5 billion to $16 billion.  In Congress I’ll call for increased investment in energy research, much of which could be done right here in our district at Argonne National Laboratory and could benefit local companies like Broadwind and Recycled Energy Development.  Our future WILL include a focus on the green energy sector -- a sector that will produce millions of jobs.  The only quesiton is whether those jobs will be created here in the United States (and in our district) or in China and Germany.  I started my career in manufacturing and I know we can fight and win these jobs right here. 2010-09-03T14:52:26+00:00 http://www.harper2010.com/site/important-vote-tomorrow-for-district-teachers-firefighters-and-police/ http://www.harper2010.com/site/important-vote-tomorrow-for-district-teachers-firefighters-and-police/#When:00:25:25Z Last week the Senate passed an aid package for states that will help 300,000 teachers, firefighters, paramedics, police officers and other public workers keep their jobs – including jobs in our district.  Tomorrow, the House votes on the same bill. Last week the Senate passed an aid package for states that will help 300,000 teachers, firefighters, paramedics, police officers and other public workers keep their jobs – including jobs in our district. Many states are slashing firefighting, police, and teaching jobs in an effort to close state budget gaps, and this bill is an effort to ensure that these jobs are protected during the early stages of economic recovery.     There is a lot of concern about our current level of federal debt, and it’s worth noting that this bill is offset with spending cuts.  While I think it’s important to be fiscally responsible, I don’t agree with the source of these cuts:  food stamp benefits.  A record number of Americans currently need help paying for basic foodstuffs, and when we’re providing $4 billion in subsidies to big oil companies like BP and spending another $4 billion in earmarks, the money should have been found from other sources.      Despite this concern, I think the risk of cutting teachers, firefighters, and police around the country and in our district outweighs that concern.  The House is voting on this bill in a special session tomorrow, and I would encourage people to contact their representatives and ask them to vote for the bill. 2010-08-10T00:25:25+00:00 http://www.harper2010.com/site/the-senate-vs-almost-every-other-democratic-body-on-earth/ http://www.harper2010.com/site/the-senate-vs-almost-every-other-democratic-body-on-earth/#When:16:27:51Z It was good to see Senator Durbin consider the idea of filibuster reform this week.  While I’m not running for the Senate, anyone who’s interested in a functioning government should see the current gridlock in the Senate due to the overuse of the filibuster as intolerable. It was good to see Senator Durbin consider the idea of filibuster reform this week.  While I’m not running for the Senate, anyone who’s interested in a functioning government should see the current gridlock in the Senate due to the overuse of the filibuster as intolerable.  The filibuster, which was originally used to ensure unlimited debate is now routinely used to delay the consideration of important legislation.  While Republican overuse in this Congress has brought Senate gridlock to new heights, the use of the filibuster has been on the rise for a long time by both parties.  Having a 60 vote requirement in a body where it is extremely rare for either party to ever actually have 60 votes is a recipe for inaction and does nothing to serve the American people.  Congressional majorities – Democrat or Republican should be able to bring their legislation to the floor and give it an up or down vote.  The U.S. House operates by majority rule, as does the Australian Parliament, the Naperville City Council, the Ohio University Undergraduate Student Senate, the Washakie County Wyoming School Board, the American Mustache Institute, the Kansas City Organization of Recyclers, and OrigamiUSA.  The US Supreme Court interprets the meaning of the constitution with a simple majority vote.  The Senate can and should operate the same way as all other Democratic institutions.  Filibuster reform isn’t an issue that gets as much press and attention as it deserves.  There’s not much of a pro-filibuster lobby.  Senators that support it won’t be getting visits from lobbyists or checks from corporate PACs.  In fact you can expect a lot of opposition from the corporate community.  Right now they know that if they spend enough money to persuade 41 senators to oppose something it can be blocked.  Increasing that number to 51 will cost them money and they’ll oppose it.  I hope Senator Durbin continues to support filibuster reform, and I would encourage people to contact his office and let him know that they support it too.         2010-07-29T16:27:51+00:00 http://www.harper2010.com/site/smart-grid-technology-coming-to-naperville/ http://www.harper2010.com/site/smart-grid-technology-coming-to-naperville/#When:15:20:14Z Bill Mego’s column in the Naperville Sun is a great discussion of how the Smart Grid system will help Naperville, and could help communities across the district. The Smart Grid system is a practical way for consumers and utility providers to track how much energy a home is using and find better ways to conserve electricity. Bill Mego’s column  in the Naperville Sun is a great discussion of how the Smart Grid system will help Naperville, and could help communities across the district. The Smart Grid system is a practical way for consumers and utility providers to track how much energy a home is using and find better ways to conserve electricity. Technologies such as the Smart Grid are important steps toward creating a greener future. The system will not only save consumers money by cutting household consumption, but will reduce the amount of energy wasted. I would like to see the 13th District play a leading role in America’s green energy future, and programs such as Smart Grid are a good start. 2010-07-27T15:20:14+00:00 http://www.harper2010.com/site/welcome-to-the-harper2010-campaign-blog/ http://www.harper2010.com/site/welcome-to-the-harper2010-campaign-blog/#When:00:03:07Z I try to keep my schedule filled with opportunities to meet people from our district, to learn about their concerns and discuss the ways we can work together to find solutions.  I also enjoy hearing about points of pride from the members of our community. I try to keep my schedule filled with opportunities to meet people from our district, to learn about their concerns and discuss the ways we can work together to find solutions.  I also enjoy hearing about points of pride from the members of our community.  I hope you will attend a campaign event or take a moment to say 'hello' at a parade or community event, but I want to give people as many avenues as possible to communicate with me and discover my vision for our district’s future. Given that, I’d like to welcome you to my 2010 campaign blog! I hope this blog will serve as a window into my campaign and the passion I have for helping move our district in a positive direction. Here, you’ll receive information on upcoming campaign events and activities, but I’ll also be using this space as a forum to respond to local and national issues as well.  If readers from our district have questions they would like to see addressed in this space, please send them to connect@harper2010.com.  Again, thanks for stopping by and be sure to check back soon. 2010-07-14T00:03:07+00:00 http://www.harper2010.com/site/moving-our-money/ http://www.harper2010.com/site/moving-our-money/#When:23:58:37Z Today, I decided to participate in the “Move Your Money” campaign when I moved our campaign funds to First American Bank in Naperville.  This grassroots movement began in the aftermath of the financial crisis when everyday people were angry about the big bank bailouts and wondering what they could do on an individual level to make sure that nothing like it ever happened again.  Today, I decided to participate in the "Move Your Money" campaign when I moved our campaign funds to First American Bank in Naperville.  This grassroots movement began in the aftermath of the financial crisis when everyday people were angry about the big bank bailouts and wondering what they could do on an individual level to make sure that nothing like it ever happened again.  Since then over $5 billion have moved from mega-banks to community banks and credit unions.   I've always believed in the ability of individuals to make a difference on big issues, and by keeping your money at a local bank, you're enabling that bank to make loans to local businesses and affecting your local community in a positive way.     2010-07-09T23:58:37+00:00 http://www.harper2010.com/site/saying-no/ http://www.harper2010.com/site/saying-no/#When:23:56:55Z Recently, I decided that my campaign would not be accepting donations from corporate PACs for the 2010 election. I’ve been very concerned about the role of corporate contributions in politics for a long time, and I feel that refusing corporate PAC money is just the right thing to do. Recently, I decided that my campaign would not be accepting donations from corporate PACs for the 2010 election. I’ve been very concerned about the role of corporate contributions in politics for a long time, and I feel that refusing corporate PAC money is just the right thing to do. As a professor of business ethics I have always impressed upon my students that you have to set an ethical example if you’re going to call on others to do the same. That is why I am disappointed that Congresswoman Biggert has raised a majority of her money from corporate PACs.  This included $2000 from Goldman Sachs, who is currently under federal investigation and $3000 from British Petroleum.  In fact, BP has given more to Biggert throughout her congressional career than every other member of the Illinois Congressional delegation combined.  Anyone running for office would acknowledge the prominent role fundraising plays in the process, but where we get our funding from matters.  And ultimately, I’m not comfortable with corporations making investments in my campaign, especially ones like Goldman Sachs and BP. 2010-06-29T23:56:55+00:00 http://www.harper2010.com/site/bp-disaster-underscores-need-for-reform/ http://www.harper2010.com/site/bp-disaster-underscores-need-for-reform/#When:17:17:23Z It has now been 50 days since the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in the deaths of 11 people and the largest environmental disaster in US history. The effects on the Gulf sea lanes, coastline, wildlife and industry are significant. My thoughts and prayers go out to the thousands of people who have been hurt by this disaster and the millions more who will suffer from the long-term economic effects of this blunder. It has now been 50 days since the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in the deaths of 11 people and the largest environmental disaster in US history. The effects on the Gulf sea lanes, coastline, wildlife and industry are significant. My thoughts and prayers go out to the thousands of people who have been hurt by this disaster and the millions more who will suffer from the long-term economic effects of this blunder. This incident underscores the too-cozy relationship between Washington politicians and corporate giants, and the lax regulations placed on BP by the Mineral Management Service that led to this environmental catastrophe. Holding those who are responsible for this mess accountable is important, but what's more important is that we finally end corporate control of US energy policy and set a course for sustainability. The oil spill has also led to a moratorium on deep-water offshore drilling – a decision that was necessary to prevent further incidents of this scale. But over the last several years our conversations about the expansion or restriction of offshore drilling have diverted our attention from larger concerns about energy production. We must move toward a future where the United States isn't at the mercy of wildly fluctuating oil and gas prices, or purchasing energy from repressive regimes in South America and the Middle-East. 2010-06-09T17:17:23+00:00