Stop the Energy Insanity

It won't happen in our lifetimes

The recommendations made by this editorial are laudable and long overdue. But unfortunately, our political system is so completely bankrupt that they will not be enacted unless the electorate makes a major statement in Novemeber. The U.S. is on its way to being a second-rate economic, military and cultural power behind China and a gaggle of other forward-looking nations, all smaller in population than the U.S. Both Republicans and Democrats share the blame, but Americans themselves have not shown they are ready to make any real sacrifices or changes in their lives, particularly with regards to necessary higher taxes and lower personal spending. Not only would they address environmental and economic issues, but they would also address our severe financial problems in trying to keep massive public and private debt that prevents us from thinking beyond the next interest payment. My November election prediction: Obama wins the popular vote but McCain wins the electoral college and the presidency. I hope the eventual winner grows in the office beyond what has been demonstrated during the campaign, and is a real transformative figure in American politics. Please, everyone go out and vote this November!

Stop the Energy Insanity article

This article by Mortimer B. Zuckerman, "Stop the Energy Insanity", is "Spot On' to today's and tomorrow's energy crisis.

And the parting words of wisdom are great! "We simply cannot afford a political system that is incapable of addressing such a critical national issue. In other words, we need real leadership in Washington."

Let's invest in Energy Independence

I would think that the best way to solve our energy dependency issues would be to start the second biggest public works project in history. The first was the US Interstate Road system. The second would be a multiple track electrified rail system that would mirror our system of interstate highways. It doesn't even have to be a super high speed system. Let's leave the truly long distance travel to the airways. Put together a heavy duty 125 MPH Electrified system that could be used to haul both passengers and freight in the 100 to 700 mile range. Support for the electrified system and other electrical infrastructure would come from multiple new nucluer power plants, Wind sources, solar power, geothermal power etc. We should probably use the money that we are going to have to invest in the next 20 years to add extra lanes to our existing interstate highways due to traffic congestion.

Free Hemp Production

Not Corn!!

Free Hemp! Free Enterprise! Free America!

At least a little and its better then using a food crop, no!?

Energy Insanity

Zuckerman seems to have a proclivity for filling pages with words. . .his last two sentences state the problem in full. As long as Congress continues to serve themselves and special interest groups and ignores their duty to the American people, we will never get out of this energy mess!

Fuel Consumption

I agree with the frustations detailed in the article from US News and World Reports and look to our government, (Congress) to stop the bipartisan wrangling and look to a problem that best serves our nation. We have much at stake for ordinary family life as well as our economy and safety.

PLEASE LOOK TO WHAT IS BEST FOR THE COUNTRY AND NOT SPECIAL INTERESTS OR PARTISANSHIP.

Stop The Energy Insanity!

Excellent article but! You missed the "T.Boone Pickens Plan". When we talk energy we need to look at all aspects:wind,solar, water, beaming power from space, etc. We have to think outside the box!!!

Our Country needs an inititive similar to the Space Race of the 60's! Someone has to challenge our Country to be energy efficient in "5 years" max! Put the money, education, tax breaks, resources, etc. behind the inititive. 10,15, 20 years is too long of a time for solutions. We could demand, by law, both propaine and diesel power immediately and see an instant savings! Big Auto already has the ability and engines to do this now! With everyone on board (public-politicians-industry) this could be the economic boom that our Country needs to get us out of the "resession-depression" we are in now! The little guy can't afford to buy the Country into good time anymore!

I agree

Go to www.americansolutions.com and sign the petition. It is awful that these employees of ours in Washington DC are holding our country hostage to foreign oil. The thing they have forgotten - they are employees of the people. I wish we had term limits.

Stop The Energy Insanity

Thanks for that excellent article telling it like it really is to the American people. I sent photo copies to both my Senators and House Representative for my district here in Florida. Included was my comments to "Read It & Learn Something About How The Average American (like me) Feels About The Do Nothing Congress About Gas Prices Today."

A very important addition.....

One critical thing left out of the discussion was nuclear power.

1. Fossil fuels are not an umlimited resource. They won't last forever. With India and China's economies getting up to speed, fossil fuels may only last a few more decades.

2. Nuclear power is safe. Considering the possible damage to the environment that fossil fuels may be doing, nuclear power is a far safer bet. Nuclear power, coupled with battery powered cars, would reduce carbon dioxide output dramaticly.

We need to begin to contruct more nuclear power plants asap.

If we don't, our standard of living in this country will suffer badly.