I'm done watching, listening and reading about this election. I've made up my mind and I will tell you why.
Watching the final debate on Wednesday, a lot of issues were covered and ideas communicated and it was all good, especially, finally the mediation. But what does it all mean? What's really important and practical. For me it all boils down to this: Let all the peripheral issues slip away. Don't give another thought to Palin or abortion, Iraq or William Ayers, education or the debt. Focus on what makes us work? Why are we so productive? How could we be more efficient?what do we commulatively consume most every day? What drives us? From the moment we wake till the lights go out--energy and technology.
The question was raised; what are you going to do with respect to energy independence? The response by both candidates spoke volumes to me about who should be elected and why.
At this moment in time we need a president who is not simply a war hero or Harvard Law grad but rather a person who understands where we can find economic growth and why energy is the key for America. Senator Mc Cain's response indicated that he has not connected the dots. He thinks so long as we build nuclear plants and drill for oil we can solve the problem. He was so unconcerned by the question that he immediately starting dealing in tit for tat regarding free trade and generally avoiding the issue. Senator Obama communicated how we are going to save the next failed segment of the US economy, auto makers. By providing incentives; $7,000 to consumers for green cars and MPG/CAFE directives in order to be eligible for federal financing, fully recognizing that GM and friends are next in the soup line.
But also that investment in solar, geothermal and wind are key so that manufacturing facilities existing in the US can be retooled for production and exportation. Obama is the only candidate that recognizes we are at a time and place where we cannot settle for anything less than an energy revolution.
What has become clear to me is that the next President of the United States needs to be able to understand and appreciate this moment in time and how it relates to our future economically, socially and environmentally. Mr. Mc Cain is a great citizen who’s past contributions to this country cannot be denied. However, the fundamental issues that are most important are now beyond him.
So drop what ever issue you hold dearest. If you really care for the welfare of our country this is it. The bottom line. No other issue is more important to America. Its the chicken and the egg. We cannot fund our government over the long term without increasing both our capacity for growth via exporting energy technology and implementing it in our homes and offices. We cannot continue to allow energy to decrease our disposable income and business revenues and yet still expect to be able to afford to grow our businesses or pay for college. For business, energy can drastically reduce costs of operations and increase revenues in the same way that computers increased productivity.
Even before the financial crisis imploded our idea about the future of our economy, the recognition that not enough is made in this country to provide for economic growth existed. As a developed economy all we have is technological progress. We are too smart to make socks and shoes, jeans and jackets. That is why we go to school, learn to read and write, so that we can make planes and MRI machines, so that we can learn how to make and install wind mills and solar turbines.
So let's do it. Joe the Plumber you're included. You can start by electing to office the person that is going to get it done. We already missed out once with Al and look where that has gotten us. We can’t afford to make the same mistake again.
Energy and technology are the beginning and the end. We will not be able to pay down the debt and invest in education and health care, social security and medicare without first replacing and investing in the engine that will run our economy. That's what I am voting for.
Watching the final debate on Wednesday, a lot of issues were covered and ideas communicated and it was all good, especially, finally the mediation. But what does it all mean? What's really important and practical. For me it all boils down to this: Let all the peripheral issues slip away. Don't give another thought to Palin or abortion, Iraq or William Ayers, education or the debt. Focus on what makes us work? Why are we so productive? How could we be more efficient?what do we commulatively consume most every day? What drives us? From the moment we wake till the lights go out--energy and technology.
The question was raised; what are you going to do with respect to energy independence? The response by both candidates spoke volumes to me about who should be elected and why.
At this moment in time we need a president who is not simply a war hero or Harvard Law grad but rather a person who understands where we can find economic growth and why energy is the key for America. Senator Mc Cain's response indicated that he has not connected the dots. He thinks so long as we build nuclear plants and drill for oil we can solve the problem. He was so unconcerned by the question that he immediately starting dealing in tit for tat regarding free trade and generally avoiding the issue. Senator Obama communicated how we are going to save the next failed segment of the US economy, auto makers. By providing incentives; $7,000 to consumers for green cars and MPG/CAFE directives in order to be eligible for federal financing, fully recognizing that GM and friends are next in the soup line.
But also that investment in solar, geothermal and wind are key so that manufacturing facilities existing in the US can be retooled for production and exportation. Obama is the only candidate that recognizes we are at a time and place where we cannot settle for anything less than an energy revolution.
What has become clear to me is that the next President of the United States needs to be able to understand and appreciate this moment in time and how it relates to our future economically, socially and environmentally. Mr. Mc Cain is a great citizen who’s past contributions to this country cannot be denied. However, the fundamental issues that are most important are now beyond him.
So drop what ever issue you hold dearest. If you really care for the welfare of our country this is it. The bottom line. No other issue is more important to America. Its the chicken and the egg. We cannot fund our government over the long term without increasing both our capacity for growth via exporting energy technology and implementing it in our homes and offices. We cannot continue to allow energy to decrease our disposable income and business revenues and yet still expect to be able to afford to grow our businesses or pay for college. For business, energy can drastically reduce costs of operations and increase revenues in the same way that computers increased productivity.
Even before the financial crisis imploded our idea about the future of our economy, the recognition that not enough is made in this country to provide for economic growth existed. As a developed economy all we have is technological progress. We are too smart to make socks and shoes, jeans and jackets. That is why we go to school, learn to read and write, so that we can make planes and MRI machines, so that we can learn how to make and install wind mills and solar turbines.
So let's do it. Joe the Plumber you're included. You can start by electing to office the person that is going to get it done. We already missed out once with Al and look where that has gotten us. We can’t afford to make the same mistake again.
Energy and technology are the beginning and the end. We will not be able to pay down the debt and invest in education and health care, social security and medicare without first replacing and investing in the engine that will run our economy. That's what I am voting for.
1 comment:
Great post all around, B.
Have you read or watched any of James Kunstler's stuff?
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/james_howard_kunstler_dissects_suburbia.html
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