I’ve signed to a bold proposal by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, our Ranking Republican on the Budget Committee, called the “A Roadmap for America’s Future.” You can read about the plan at http://www.roadmap.republicans.budget.house.gov/.

It continues my record of supporting the most conservative budgets in the House.

The good news is that across the country folks are fired up, and the general interest (of bringing down the deficit and paying down the debt) is beginning to overwhelm the special interest (of earmarks for private purposes and tax loopholes for the few). This has been my constant refrain since being in Washington (1993-1998 and 2005 to present), so I’m excited that this may be the moment that Washington politicians finally summon the courage to act.

The bad news is that some folks seem to think that we should pick the first 435 names in the phone book to populate the House. The problem with that is we might not get to down to the “Rs,” and we’d lose, for example, the expertise of an economist and 12-year veteran of the House named Paul Ryan and a bold plan called the Roadmap.

In order to get the budget under control and to avoid the hyper-inflation that will come our way if we don’t, we need (1) the determination of the American people and (2) a bold plan. It looks like this may be the year that we get determination together with a plan!

Bob Inglis

Dear Friends,

“Unchange” has come to Washington in a Massachusetts minute. Say the name of Scott Brown, and all the agents of “change” frown.

South Carolinians saw through the change that the Democrats were selling in 2008. Sadly, a majority of Americans didn’t. But they’re not buying it anymore!

Americans have had their fill of the change. We’ve decided to “unchange”. We’ve decided:

• To put government back in its Constitutional bounds,

• To keep health care in private hands, and

• To put entrepreneurs back in charge of free enterprise.

The general interest of the many (in balancing the budget and paying down the debt) is beginning to overtake the special interest of the few (a private earmark here or a special tax loophole there). The people are rising up, and they’re being heard. And they’re showing that there’s nothing wrong with America that can’t be fixed with a little Constitutional perspective. We make a mistake every now and then, but this glorious Constitutional republic can “unchange” when it gets on a wrong course.

Will you help me with some “unchange”?

I’ve got four primary opponents who’ve sensed an opportunity for themselves in the confusion and pain of this recession. They’re loud and proud when it comes to opposing me, but near silent when it comes to proposing solutions. They go around saying that I’ve changed, that I’ve been corrupted by Washington.

Washington hasn’t changed me; God’s grace is changing me. When I first went to Congress (1993-1998), I focused a lot on scapegoats. When I went back to Congress in 2005, I decided to focus on solutions.

Each of us needs solutions. America needs solutions. We conservatives know we’ll find those solutions in faith, family and free enterprise. There’s no time to waste on scapegoats. We need accountable answers and an accountable action plan.

That’s why I’m enclosing a record of key votes and some billboards highlighting some of those votes.

You tell me whether those votes show the “unchange” that we need.

I don’t own this seat. If I’m going to continue to serve after 2010, I’m going to need your help. You gave me the opportunity to represent you from 1993 to 1998. Then I sat out for 6 years. With your support (85% of the primary vote, in fact) you gave me the opportunity to serve again, starting in 2005. The time-out gave me perspective. The time-in has given me some know how.

The years ahead are going to be some of the most challenging this nation has ever faced. I’m running again because I want to spend my most prepared and productive years delivering the solutions that America needs. Those solutions won’t be easy, and they won’t be simple (although they will be based on simple principles).

Will you join with me? Will you help me deliver the “unchange” that America needs?

“Proterra’s commitment shows the way ICAR is fulfilling its promise to create jobs and help South Carolina lead nationally in reinventing the car,” Inglis said. “Proterra is both a vehicle company and a technology company and their innovation will bring others to the Upstate.”

Inglis said suppliers and other manufacturers have already begun to investigate the Upstate and can be expected to locate here.

“As Proterra becomes successful, we can expect a job-generating effect like BMW has spurred.”

The Golden, CO-based company manufactures hybrid- and all-electric, all-composite body transit vehicles built from the ground up to improve fuel efficiency while generating very low or no emissions.

“I drove the company’s demonstration bus when they visited the office in Washington, DC,” Inglis said. “It is an amazing vehicle. It is lighter and cheaper to operate than a diesel bus that can recharge during its rounds.” Inglis said.

In addition to all battery and battery-dominant vehicles, the company can offer auxiliary power units that include bio-diesel, gasoline, compressed natural gas and hydrogen fuel cells.

The six-year-old company will manufacture hybrid electric and all-electric vehicles and eventually need to hire assembler, electricians, mechanics, welders and composite workers.

“This goes to show what we have been saying since 2005, that the road to energy security and economic recovery runs through the Upstate of South Carolina.”

Inglis said ICAR is one of the four pieces of the energy puzzle that South Carolina has to offer along with the Savannah River National Lab, the USC Fuel Cell Center and the Clyburn Transportation Center at S.C. State in Orangeburg.