Two Chinese companies have agreed to manufacture in America, instead of in China, a significant portion of the wind turbines needed for a Texas wind farm. The deal is a result of white collar Chinese executives negotiating with blue collar union officers to create green collar jobs in the U.S. The agreement defies stereotypes about unions as constantly combative, excessively expensive and environmentally challenged. The United Steelworkers union, which struck the deal, has a track record of engaging with enlightened CEOs for mutual benefit. It has a long green history. And it has worked to return off-shored jobs to the U.S.

The energy independence mantra conjuring the misapprehension that more offshore drilling and similar rapine measures promulgated by corporatist politicians will reduce imports ignores the simple fact that the U.S. exports a rising share of its petroleum products to other countries.

On July 4th, Americans are supposed to celebrate their independence. We may no longer have to worry about a greedy, distant monarch. But our country is still held in thrall to powerful interests that prize profit over individuals and their freedom—the energy industry comes to mind. As Jason Mark puts it at AlterNet:

While listening last night to President Obama’s speech on the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, one section struck me as both especially sad and enraging. Obama was borrowing the language and ideas of Van Jones to describe the path out of our dependence on fossil fuels. This was enraging, because when Van Jones was attacked by Glenn Beck, Obama stood idly and allowed Jones to resign. It was even more enraging, and sad, because resorting to Jones’ plan in the speech demonstrates how correct Jones is in his prescription for a Green Collar Economy.

There is plenty of blame to go around in regards to the Gulf Oil spill.

The oil spill is ravaging the water and marine life, the shoreline, the marshes and the livelihoods of everyone in the region.

Senators should pass a clean energy and climate bill this summer and head into the final campaign push with a real success in hand.

A schedule of upcoming live feeds from Sum of Change.

there is obviously a mandate, is there the political will