“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” –Margaret Mead

If you had a magic wand, and you could wave it and create a world full of light, love, justice and peace, when do you think you would choose to use it? Would you get around to it as soon as you were done with your education? Would you do it once you found the right job? Would you think about doing it “someday”? Of course not.

In the mythology of many of the native peoples on Earth, there is a prophesy that when the Earth is most in peril, a spider woman will weave a web connecting people with one another in order for them to do what has to be done to save the world.

This is the sixth article in a continuing series by the NRDC Action Fund on the environmental stances of candidates in key races around the country.

I worked on Capitol Hill for a long time, and I do not consider myself naive about the inner workings of Washington. But even I was surprised by two revelations this week exposing the amount of money the oil industry is spending to buy political influence.

Today, we examine Ohio’s 1st Congressional District, which encompasses Cincinnati and parts of nearby suburbs. Cincinnati is home to the Reds, but in the House it’s represented by the self-described “raging moderate,” Democrat Steve Driehaus. A longtime member of the Ohio legislature, in 2008, Driehaus won election to the House seat his father unsuccessfully sought 40 years ago. This November he is being challenged by former Republican Congressman Steve Chabot, whom Driehaus unseated in 2008 despite being outspent by nearly $1 million.

This is the second article in a continuing series by the NRDC Action Fund on the environmental stances of candidates in key races around the country.

Short video clip discussing Green Jobs and how they fit in America’s future. From a panel at the Pennsylvania Progressive Summit (paprogressivesummit.org). For more videos of the summit, go to sumofchange.com/paprog

Clean energy is a hot topic. Nissan is rolling out 5000 of its Nissan Leaf’s this year. 100% electric vehicle. The green economy is here.

Spotlight On Poverty And Opportunity presents a webcast on the White House Middle Class Task Force Working Families. The featured guest is Jared Bernstein who heads the task force and is the Chief Economist and Economic Advisor to the Vice President. He is interviewed by “Spotlight’s” Mary Jo Walsh, former anchor at the ABC affiliate in Washington, DC.