The Most Important piece of advice about this entire forum is to stay positive. I know, trust me, more than most, that it can be hard to stay positive with the things that we hear about. But negativity inevitably draws negativity.

After staying positive, the next thing that people need to do is educate themselves, and use teamwork. Have each member of the family take turns getting to know a subject, or each family of a neighborhood. And the first nugget of knowledge I can offer is EXTREMELY Important. Your buying choice is one major way you "Vote" metaphorically and literally to the people in Executive Office. Perhaps the most important.

On the tone of staying positive I also offer up this advice. The story being told about geothermal is that it's got a 5-7 or 6-9 or even 8-10 year payback depending on who you talk to. The truth behind it is if you're paying Utility bills anyway, and haven't seen them drop and stay down why not amortize the cost over a 30 year or 20 year loan where at current energy prices you net several hundred per month in your pocket the first month the system is turned on (Hudson Valley, NY).

I market Green products and services. And when I offer people the opportunity to save and/or make money while reducing their impact on the environment it's one more reason to smile in these times. These times may draw out the worst in some, but they will also draw out the best in many.

Finally I leave on this last opinion I have. If you do not know the difference between Hemp and Marijuana please educate yourself. To give an idea it would be like drinking Non-Alc. Beer to get drunk. Legislation surrounding Industrial hemp needs to change. We are the ONLY industrialized Nation whose farmers can't grow hemp. And the reason given: Because Hemp farmers could hide their weed plants... NOT TRUE!! if you grow the 2 near each other you end up with a crossbreed that is not good as either one, a Hermaphrodite of sorts. If you have not yet seen the History of Marijuana 101 yet on this site, Do yourself the favor.
also:
www.votehemp.com
www.norml.org
www.hempmuseum.org
and www.phoenixtearsmovie.com - by James O'Shea