If a cleaner environment means fewer jobs and higher power bills, this week’s National Clean Energy Summit

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that’s being held in Las Vegas is in big trouble as it attempts to bring the benefits of updated environmental policies to the forefront.

A recent Gallup poll revealed 41% of Americans surveyed believe the media has exaggerated global warming.  Twelve months ago, that number was 35%.  Republicans appear to be the most suspicious of media intentions.  66% of Republicans insist the media has ulterior motives, while only 20% of Dems say they’re prone to take the media reports as truth.  A whopping 61% believe the effects of global warming haven’t even begun to occur; these percentages were at 52% this time last year.

So why the sudden distrust?  Two words: the economy.  Too many folks believe greed is behind the push for environmental clean-up efforts.  Jerry Taylor, who works with the free-market advocate, Cato Institution, said, “We’re in the midst of one of the deepest recessions since the Great Depression and people suspect environmental policies that prices tags that are not inconsequential”.   To say there’s a skeptical public is an understatement.

Even with 40% of those polled who believe the environment takes precedence over the economy, it’s clear there’s a shift in priorities in this country.   Economic growth, most believe, should be top priority.

As Frank Newport, editor in chief of the Gallup Poll says in reference to the non-plussed attitude this new poll reveals, “Al Gore won a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts…yet, for all that, it hasn’t worked”.  Of course, there are those who disagree with the Gallup Poll’s numbers and insist on seeing the formulas used to “get to this place”.  Not that it matters; several other polls conducted in the past several months show growing percentages of those who are adamant about not paying higher utility bills that are required for cleaner energy sources.  The sentiment seems to be, “Not now.  Maybe later, but not now.”

The summit will last throughout the week and has many state political leaders in attendance.

With so much going on in the world of politics, finances and American legal structures, we’ve heard words such as “recession”, and even phrases like, “Well, back during the days of the Depression…” Hopefully, things won’t get this despondent. Contrary to what some may believe, I don’t think we’re anywhere near a depression. Maybe a series of “blue days” would be a more apt description, for now anyway.

Still, though, I was interested in comparing the days of the Depression and the years prior that some say is the true beginning of what culminated into a near-decade decline. For the sake of uniformity, I’m using a general “pre-1940″ as my comp point with specific years within each reference.

*All figures come from US Census Bureau and BLS/PPI Government site

Even though there are some similarities, when you take a step back, you begin to realize many of these comparisons are indicative of society throughout the decades. Divorce, even though the rates were down, is as evident now as it was in the 1970s. Dropout rates are actually a bit better than they were in the early 1980s. Murder rates weren’t really any higher in the late 20s through the early 30s. Of course, robbery and theft was up for obvious reasons. On the other hand, a depression is defined as:

Deep extended slump in total business activity. Buying and selling drop, forcing a decline in production prices, incomes and employment.

Again, that statement can be applicable to many times even within our lifetimes. So, as bleak as the political and financial fronts seem to be, it’s not as discouraging as some insist, especially the ones who declare the sky is falling.

My guess is burglary, petty theft and misdemeanor charges for things such as a lack of automobile insurance and expired tags will be on the increase. Hopefully, the winds of change will begin to shift sooner rather than later.