President Obama: support innovative policy & legislation

I am hopeful. I am hopeful that the new administration will make policy decisions based not on the intent of the policy, but on the results that it causes. From President Obama's inauguration speech:

The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works -- whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end.

It is my belief that the way to solve the problems plaguing our nation is through innovative policy and legislation. In fact, I think many of the problems in the country today are directly caused by poor policies that--while intentions may have been good--result in many unintended and undesired consequences.

Here are the sorts of ideas we should be investing in.

• Berkeley, CA allows residents to borrow money for solar panels against their property taxes. Read more...
• All vehicles should have real-time mileage feedback to help drivers maximize fuel economy. Read more...
• Build airports on a plateau so that gravity is used to aid airplanes during both takeoff and landing, which significantly reduces fuel consumed. Read more...