By Alexandra Crossett
Stafff Writer, ‘12

As a writer and thinker interested in politics, I try to check the White House’s website at least once a week.  Lately, I have noticed a regular string of updates concerning new environmentally-friendly policies.  Some may have predicted as much from President Obama, but I find it particularly reassuring that in his first few months as commander-in-chief, he has already applied green ideology in a practical and intelligent way.
In President Obama’s own words from his weekly address from January 24th :
“To accelerate the creation of a clean energy economy, we will double our capacity to generate alternative sources of energy like wind, solar, and biofuels over the next three years. We’ll begin to build a new electricity grid that lays down more than 3,000 miles of transmission lines to convey this new energy from coast to coast. We’ll save taxpayers $2 billion a year by making 75% of federal buildings more energy efficient, and save the average working family $350 on their energy bills by weatherizing 2.5 million homes.”
News like this gives me hope that Barack Obama will continue to conceive and implement environmental policies that will also serve the people.  Any action can be construed as being politically motivated Рobviously this policy and others like it are great boons to the supporters and engineers of a green future Рbut I think our new president aims not to please certain voting demographics, but to build a better America for its citizens.
For further support of my theory, I also considered the radical nature of the measures Barack Obama has pushed through the White House and Congress thus far.  Our president seems not given over to pleasing all those who support him politically.  Perhaps his visions of a strong, virile nation are worth more to him than full support and an easy time of passing his resolutions.
Any political gains or losses from these policies are the expected reactions to the President’s use of great power.  Could America be entering an era where back-room politics take a backseat to policymaking as a genuine effort to improve the lives of every man, woman, and child?
I am, admittedly, an optimist and an idealist, especially where Obama is concerned. I have been depressed by our nation’s outlook, grasping for strands of promise in the future, for a long time.  However, while my emotions, like those of many throughout the country, have been bolstered by the President, I also apply logic to my assessments.
I know that the things he proposes are risky and seemingly unachievable, and that I have been fooled by politicians before.  The hard work and balance required to fund these plans without burdening the taxpayers is astronomical.   Similarly, I may be too dazzled by the productivity of the new team in office to realize that is its actions still support stock politics.  Hopefully, the cynics are wrong.