America has always been known for leading the way into new frontiers. In the tradition of “go West young man,” we have seen the opportunities that existed over the horizon and were not afraid to take great risks in exchange for greater returns.

Now we must again seize upon that American way and drive ourselves forward into the new frontier, which is, without a doubt, clean energy.

Most economists will tell you that you can’t cure an economic decline through tax breaks; the stimulus bill cut taxes by $282 billion and we still haven’t seen a real recovery. The way to get immediate and lasting economic relief is through job creation.

Lucky for us, job creation and budding industries go hand in hand. So why have we still not capitalized on renewable energy yet?

The answers lie in our flawed, short-sighted energy policy. Right now, government policy heavily subsidizes fossil fuels, preventing a market transition to a clean energy economy. Until we change that by passing a bill that appropriately prices carbon, we will continue to favor a dying industry rooted in the 1900’s with little prospects for future wealth and job creation.

Sen. Bond has said that he supports capping and reducing the amount of carbon we emit, presumably out of concern for the environment, and his recent vote for the bipartisan jobs bill tells us that he also shares our economic concerns, so the upcoming bipartisan Kerry-Graham-Lieberman bill should afford him the perfect opportunity to act positively on his values.

As for Sen. McCaskill, it’s finally time to find her strength, get off the fence, and become the outspoken champion we need and expect now.

To realize America’s potential, we must unite to create the clean energy economy that will create the jobs of today and tomorrow; to, once again, go West.