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Energy Independence Achieving Energy Independence is a matter of National Security. America's economy is increasingly vulnerable to a disruption of the flow of oil from the Persian Gulf. Over 50% of the oil we use to keep America moving is imported. Our economy and, therefore our security, depend on foreign oil.
We have to break our addiction to foreign oil to keep America independent and strong! How can we possibly fight a War On Terrorism if our economy is based on a resource controlled by foreign rulers who may not really be on our side? How can we focus on the goals of the War On Terrorism if our citizens are held hostage by the fear of a disrupted economy? It is short sighted and dangerous to continue to annually send billions of dollars to countries whose citizens are financing terrorists. Before 9/11 most Americans did not realize the connection, now we do. A portion of over one-half of every dollar we spend on gasoline has the potential to end up financing an act of terrorism against us or our allies. Our national security demands that America launch a new "Manhattan Project" or "Apollo Program" type of effort that puts us on the path to "Energy Independence within Ten Years"! I do not know exactly what needs to be done to achieve Energy Independence, but I know that a "Drain America First" approach will not accomplish it! Drilling America's oil faster will only deplete the remaining American oil faster! Increased efficiency is the only way to increase supply in the short run and the foundation of a sustainable supply in the long run. We simply must reduce our demand for oil today by using our current supplies more efficiently. After we have developed a sustainable, diversified energy supply, we should then develop a long term plan that determines what use needs to be made of the small, but significant, reserves remaining under American soil. We need to put the genius of the American people to work perfecting the methods of renewable energy generation that will make us self-sufficient within ten years. We need to spend our money in America, putting Americans to work developing the energy supply and use systems of the twenty-first century instead of sending our money overseas supporting the oil economy of the last century. A diversified, sustainable energy supply and delivery system is inherently more secure than a centralized system that depends on foreign sources and largely indefensible supply lines. From both a tactical and a strategic standpoint, any would-be future terrorist would find it much more difficult to significantly disrupt a system comprised of many smaller pieces than it would be to disrupt our current system. Unlike the Manhattan Project or the Apollo Program, building a sustainable energy supply and delivery system can be a matter of national priority that everyone in America can be involved in. This can be our "Victory Garden", our "Scrap Drive". We can do our patriotic duty of retrofitting our home with energy efficient windows and appliances (and receive a tax credit, too)! Farmers can lease wind turbine sites and grow bio-fuels feedstock. Americans can buy new automobiles and SUV's powered by hybrid engines or fuel cells. Americans have the knowledge and the ability to lead the world in innovation if we will only stop clinging to the now precarious convenience of the past and summon the courage to invest in the future. President Kennedy did not know how America was going to put a man on the moon when he launched the "Apollo Program", but he knew that he had to set the goal. That is what America has to do today to be able to secure our economic future and win the War On Terrorism. |
