Energy Crisis: People Power For Change

The American people can not wait on elected officials or corporate America to bring about change in using fossil fuels.  The exorbitant increase in oil and gasoline has been going on too long while the President, government officials, and corporate America only give excuses.

 

We the people need to change and make the sacrifice ourselves in order to start the process of greening America by drastically reducing our dependence on oil and gasoline.  At the same time, we have to demand our government start to act now.

 

In a report out of the Times Picayune, the largest newspaper in Louisiana, dated July 29, 2008, an AAA survey of people in Louisiana show that 77% of drivers made significant changes in their driving habits.  Here is how they accomplished that:  (1)  Moved closer to work.  (2) Carpooling. (3)  Using Public Transportation.  (4) Biking or walking.  (5)  Buying a more fuel efficient vehicle.  (6) Taking fewer or shorter leisure trips.

 

Taking matters in our own hands will be a sacrifice worthwhile even though it will some times be hard and difficult.  The alternative is much worse, harder, more costly, and we should understand all that having lived with the problem.

 

Those who advocate more drilling are supporting the status quo and falsehoods.  The Big Oil companies have enough acreage in the U.S. that they have yet to drill on.  They are not working that acreage because there is really no shortage of oil or gasoline.  If there were, they would be drilling up a storm on this acreage at the record prices of the last 2 years.

 

We the people should impose on ourselves 60mph speed limit on the interstate system.  Let the saved gasoline sit in the refineries until the oil companies get the message.  The inconvenience of truth has already arrived.  Shame on us if we ourselves pass up the opportunity to do some thing about it and make a better world for our children and grandchildren. 

 

Remember when V.P. Dick Cheney met with representatives of the energy industry after Bush came into office?  The results of that meeting, what they discussed, and the decisions that were made are still secret today and the public is still in the dark.  If that is not enough to make the people face realty, what will?

 

President Carter took bold action and leadership during the Arab Oil Embargo that actually reduced consumption.  Reagan reversed all that after he took office.  Its time for the people to act on their own, because if one thing is for sure, we can no longer sit around and wait for the government to. 

The United States: A Nation Without A Leader

I wrote a post some time ago pointing out that President Bush still had the power of veto because the Republicans in Congress still have enough votes to rubber stamp his wishes, but that his Presidency has become irrelevant.  That is true more so today than ever before and the United States is still a nation without a leader.

 

Oil and gas prices have been out of control for over a year and have reached levels never before seen in America.  Bush is AWOL on the subject and has no leadership role taking any action.  President Carter faced a similar situation and problem when he was President, although not as serious as it is now.  He faced the problem and took serious action by reducing the speed limit to 55 mph on the Interstate system, by regulating the thermostat in all federal buildings, tax breaks for energy saving devises, and creating the "Strategic Petroleum Reserves."  Prices not only came down, but energy usage was reduced and the oil and gas industries' supplies in their inventory were increased.  When Reagan took office, he changed all of Carter's policies.  If President Carters policies were continued today, we would be in much better shape with more reasonable prices at the pump. 

 

The economy shows Bush's irrelevance more and more every day.  He is so out of touch and ignorant on questions asked of him concerning the economy that it would be comical were it not so sad.  Our nation and its people are at a stage now with so many serious problems and are facing them without a leader.  And this is the guy who thinks he does everything better than past Presidents.  I hope the people keep that in mind for the November election when the opportunity is presented to elect a President who will lead.  The Democrats and the people have to bring back the saying, "Where was George?" 

Former President Carter: A Rational Mind On The Middle East

Former President Carter met this past week with two leading members of Hamas who won the election after Arafat passed away.  The United States and Israel disapproved of Carter's visit, but he was not impressed.  In fact he said "I consider myself immune from such restrictions."

 

Mr. Carter is the most knowledgeable person on the Israeli-Palestinian problem and is the one person who could broker an agreement between them.  Bush and Israeli leaders have their nose out of joint because Carter has accused Israel of reneging on the U.N. resolutions that they agreed to concerning land and the building of settlements in the West Bank on Palestinian land. 

 

I wrote a post on Jan 27 concerning Hamas, saying that they would have to be a part of the process in any peace deal.  Unfortunately, however, Israel and the U.S. won't talk with them.  The fact is that they will have to be a part of the process regardless of what Israel and the U.S. thinks.  It is best to include them sooner rather than latter and put an end to the blood spilled on both sides.

 

It is to be noted Carter did not represent the U.S. when he met with Hamas.  The purpose was to agree on a dialog to get some things going.  He had two request of Hamas.  (1)  Hamas halt its rocket attacks against Israel.  (2)  That it agree to a meeting with Israel Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai to discuss a prisoner exchange.  Hamas claimed they would respond to Carter's requests. 

 

Bush and Israeli leaders could learn something from Carter if they were really serious about trying to bring peace to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  The so called "road map" has failed so far and the road to peace will get bumpier as long as the attitude is hands off.  President Carter has the right ideas; President Bush and the Israelis need to follow his example.