Clements: Biden's efforts on Ukraine invasion embarrassing
As an elected leader, I am embarrassed of our president and his handling of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As a father, I am fearful of the world that is being set into motion because we have leadership that will not lead. Choices are being made for arbitrary agendas instead of the welfare of the American people. In short, commitments to an unobtainable ideal of a Utopian dream where unicorns run free and prosper in a world without any pollution matters more than the health, safety and future prosperity of our children.
Not only does our great nation have the resources and workforce to allow us to be self-sufficient when it comes to oil independence, but we could likely become a world leader and exporter. Imagine not having to buy oil from the country that is invading Ukraine. Imagine the high-paying jobs that come with a booming energy sector. Imagine having the moral compass and character to take steps now so that we never have to find ourselves tied to regimes and bullies that we detest.
Should we all want to work on conservation of our planet? Absolutely. We all want to pass along a legacy to our children that includes outdoor activities, clean water and a robust food supply. But on the path we are sprinting down, it may not matter. Our children’s future and freedom are at stake. We must change gears and change gears now.
We are being fed a number of pipe dreams that in the real world just make no sense. Our governor is promoting electrified roads in a year where we can’t even seem to get ahead of fixing potholes, much less gas lines and bridges. We are being told that vehicles will all be electric in less than 15 years but where is all of this electricity going to magically come from? We are demanding more and more from our energy providers and yet we tie their hands at every turn.
How about for once in a long time we apply some common sense to a solvable problem? First, we rapidly expand our domestic production of oil which will lead to high-paying wages and opportunity in many supporting industries. Second, we untie the hands of our utilities to begin to produce electricity with the continued use of coal, nuclear, solar and wind. How about we focus our use of solar to brownfield and rooftop applications?
My point is simply that we have options, and the ones being promoted are more out of a fairy tale than a “how to” on regaining our position as a global superpower. And with these commonsense approaches, we don’t have to stand in front of the world as hypocrites who denounce an invasion while writing a check to the invader.
We have a very short window to end our nonsense and start taking practical steps with practical solutions. Our children are counting on us, my children are counting on me, and I pray our leaders in Washington will take a stand.
Let’s stop letting pipe dreams become the talking points for politics. People, jobs, education, freedom and safety is where we should be focused.
TC Clements represents Michigan's 56th House District, which includes the townships of Bedford, Dundee, Erie, Ida, LaSalle, Milan, Raisinville, Summerfield and Whiteford; Luna Pier and Petersburg; and parts of Milan and Monroe Township.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: TC Clements: Biden's efforts on Ukraine invasion embarrassing
