Clinton: Alternative energy investment would create jobs
By JENNIFER JACOBS
REGISTER STAFF WRITER, DesMoinesRegister.com
Boone, Ia. - Creating a $50 billion Strategic Energy Fund would help create millions of new jobs and help rebuild the prosperity of the 1990s throughout America, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said Monday during a six-city bus tour through Iowa.
"Unless we make some changes, we are in danger of eroding that American dream," she told a crowd of about 475 in a packed banquet room at the Gigglin' Goat Restaurant in Boone. "Remember six years ago? My husband left a balanced budget and a surplus."
Clinton, who is doing a two-day tour in a bus dubbed the "Middle Class Express," pitched ideas for "rebuilding the road to the middle class."
That includes bolstering retirement security by promoting savings and investment, moving toward balanced budgets, and helping Americans afford health care and college, she said.
Under her Strategic Energy Fund plan, oil companies could choose to invest in alternative energy, or pay a portion of their earnings into the government fund, she said. The fund would pay for tax incentives for homeowners and businesses that make their houses and offices more energy efficient. Investment in alternative energy will help create new, well-paying jobs in the United States, she said.
Clinton rattled off a list of economic troubles. Income gains generally went to the wealthiest 10 percent of households in 2005, while the other 90 percent generally saw their incomes decrease. College costs have gone up 40 percent, and gas prices and health care premiums have doubled. Tax cuts for the rich and a war that costs about $300 million a day have contributed to a national debt of more than $9 trillion.
"If anybody tells you the Republicans are the party of fiscal responsibility, just roll your eyes," Clinton told a crowd of more than 500 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Cedar Rapids.
To deal with problems in the housing market with families facing foreclosure, unscrupulous brokers and mortgage lending abuses, Clinton said she has three new plans. One program would help families refinance "unworkable" mortgages. Another would ensure that credit-worthy borrowers have access to mortgage loans. And another would crack down on con artists who charge hefty fees for false promises to help people avoid losing their homes.
"Most of it's pretty easy to agree with," said Gary Stourac, a 46-year-old postmaster from Williamsburg who said he's "usually" a Democrat. "I was glad that she was relatively specific on policy instead of just rah-rah."
Clinton tailored her Cedar Rapids remarks to appeal to labor unions. Earlier in the day, she shook hands with striking workers at the Cargill corn starch plant in Cedar Rapids. For the crowd of about 1,000 in Ames, Clinton switched back to her regular stump speech, but emphasized peace, ending President Bush's "war" on science and innovation, and "reclaiming the future for our children."
By the end of the day, about 3,000 people had turned out to hear Clinton. Today, Clinton visits Webster City and Dakota City.
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