An Alternative Civics Lesson

http://foseti.wordpress.com/2012/07/27/the-three-branches-of-usg/

In considering American government, realism and cynicism become twins.

Self-Propelled?

Two solar power plants are being built in Spain without any government subsidies:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-11/german-developers-plan-solar-parks-in-spain-without-subsidies.html

http://www.solariaenergia.com/EN-noticia-ampliada-95/solaria-develops-a-60-mw-plant-in-the-province-of-toledo-in-spain.html

A number of other locations are not far behind in achieving grid-parity: California, Italy, Japan. This means solar is transitioning from a politically-driven industry to an economically-driven industry, the latter being a much more reliable basis of growth. If N. Africa ever stabilizes they could export gigantic amounts of solar generated power to Europe in the near future, just as our southwest will be supplying the midwest and eastern states within 10-20 years.