Kohl's answer to my Solyndra query

A while back, I filled out one of those "action" things that I get by the ton, which resulted in an email sent to my Senators and Representatives requesting they look into Solyndra.

So far, only Herb Kohl has responded:
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Dear Mr. Kuecker:

 

Thank you for contacting me about the bankruptcy of solar manufacturer Solyndra.  It is prudent, especially in these tight budget times, to monitor the investments that the federal government makes.  When a company supported by government loan guarantees goes bankrupt, it is fair to ask why.

 

Recent reports indicate that Solyndra had been in financial trouble for some time.  The official overseeing the Department of Energy loan program that backed Solyndra has resigned, and Congress continues to investigate the situation.  Taxpayers deserve to know what happened to this company, and the Department of Energy should be held accountable for continuing to back Solyndra even after many signs warned of its financial instability.

 

With that said, investing in new technologies always involves some risk.  Government backing has been responsible for many breakthroughs over the years.  Government should not take on undue or irresponsible risk, but neither should it give up on encouraging clean energy manufacturing.  Creating new jobs and technology is worth a strong, determined effort.  We shouldn't shy away from it because of one failure.

 

I'll be sure to keep your concerns in mind as this issue develops in the coming weeks.  Thank you very much for contacting me.

                                                                           Sincerely,

                                                                           Herb Kohl
                                                                           United States Senator

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So - the Department of Energy is as incompetent as Eric Holder and his Department of Justice? I note you are not demanding an investigation.

I beg to differ, Senator. Government backing has certainly helped some researchers get to their discoveries, but I challenge you to show me ONE circumstance where "government backing" alone was responsible for a technology that actually helped build America's technological base.

OK, I can name one - nuclear power, and offshoot of the Manhattan Project via the US Navy. However, the original discovery that gave us the direction was by German chemists in the 1930's.

Everything else was funded by corporations or universities - federal money might have helped, but it never to my knowledge has alone produced useful results.

The only jobs government creates are overpaid and create little of value for America.