Energy Independence: The Way of the Modern Whigs

Yesterday, Barbara Boxer and John Kerry unveiled their comprehensive climate and energy policy bill, the "Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act," at an event on Capitol Hill. As the New York Times reported:

Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), John Kerry (D-Mass.) and nine Senate supporters kicked off the autumn global warming debate today with a campaign-style rally releasing their comprehensive climate bill.

"We know clean energy is the ticket to strong, sustainable economic growth," Boxer, the chairwoman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, said at the Capitol Hill event, in front of a large American flag and three dozen or so military veterans, business leaders and environmentalists.

Among the veterans, business leaders and environmentalists present at the event was Mike Lebowitz, Chairman of the Modern Whig Party. Septimus relays the details at The Whig:

The chairman of the Modern Whig Party -- a grassroots political movement revived by Iraq and Afghanistan veterans -- was invited today to assist in the development of a climate change bill. Mike Lebowitz, a veterans advocate and attorney who served in Iraq as a paratrooper, stood with Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and John Kerry (D-MA) on Capitol Hill as the bill was unveiled. The bill promotes reducing carbon emissions and creating so-called "green jobs."

"I think everybody understands that this bill will go through changes and is not currently perfect by any stretch of the imagination," said Lebowitz, who was joined by other veterans. "But while environmental concerns are important, we support these efforts mainly because it is a tangible first step toward reducing our dependence on foreign oil. The issue of energy independence is paramount to not only the economy, but also the national security dynamic. As a veteran and a taxpayer, I personally see energy independence as one of the most pressing issues we have today."

The Modern Whig Party includes energy independence among its six overall tenets. Revived by veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, the Modern Whig Party has quickly attracted thousands of members to go along with 26 state chapters. This movement values common sense, rational solutions ahead of ideology and partisan bickering. The majority of movement's national base of support comes from people of all political stripes and across the mainstream political spectrum.

In fact, members and leaders of the Modern Whig Party have been asked on many occassions to assist established Republican and Democratic initiatives in an effort to build mainstream, moderate consensus on par with the party's approach to common sense and rational solutions. As such, the Washington, DC-based Modern Whig Party continues to gain traction as a viable home for moderate voters.

Lebowitz is also working with the Kokesh for Congress campaign in New Mexico's 3rd congressional district.