dpkell2000

Here's the link to the interview with Lou Dobbs. http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/07/21/pickens.interview/index.html

Finally someone at the National level developing a plan to get this Country off the needle of foreign oil.

Regardless of whether you agree 100% with Picken's plan is immaterial at this point. Certainly there are positives and negatives to it. But it's tough to argue with the main point here that we haven't had a cogent Energy Strategy in 40+ years. Time for change.

Obama or McCain is a mute point in my mind. Whichever candidate can execute the best Energy Vision is the right candidate.

It's been reported that $3.0-trillion in wealth has been transferred from the Oil Consuming Countries to the Oil Producing Countries between 2001 and 2007. In addition the estimates (give recent prices of oil) indicate that $1.7-trillion in wealth will be transferred each year running forward.

The best, most intelligent, forward thinking idea and vision that our politicians (any/all) can have for the strength and future of the Country is Energy Independence. Regardless of Party regardless of Liberal/Conservative bent.

I've stated numerous times before this issue must be wrestled from the "greens" as it's not just a "green" issue. This is a security and safety of the Country issue.

Open up additional areas for drilling to make whatever dent you can in the need for imports. Perhaps this can whittle the loss of wealth to only $1.6 trillion per year (tongue in cheek). Invest invest invest in a new diversified Energy Plan and infrastructure.

If we do this, make a call to action for the Nation, we can become a net energy exporter. The expansion of our jobs, wealth, military, tax base, health and welfare programs (available investment due to wealth being retained at home) will not only ensure our survival it will reinforce our position as the only Global Superpower for the next 1000 years. This is a monumental time in our History. The leader that can spell out this vision and lead us down this path will become iconic in the History of this Country.

We will never achieve all that we're capable of while we continue to be so dependent (on many undependable Nations) on so many others for something so critical (Energy) to our way of life and our quality of life.

Energy Independence! Energy Independence! Energy Independence!

If you haven't read the book "Future Jihad" by Walid Phares please read it.

We must stop the dependence on Mid-East Oil as it is the funding vehicle by which the Islamic terrorists gain the resources to war against us.

Why are we so blind to the logic of being more self-supportive. I'm curious if anyone has contemplated the state of the U.S. economy (in comparison to Dubai) if the profits from Energy production were retained at home versus half a world away.

Our long-term security as a Nation depends on a new, more well thought out Energy Policy.

I'm curious how many others think that the Politicians still don't truly understand how to communicate a coherent Energy Policy, or the promise this holds for the Country?

Foreign Policy, State Department Policy, Defense Policy, Jobs/Labor Policy, Economic Policy can all benefit from a more effective strategy and execution towards Energy Independence. I know there are some who will laugh this off or say that I'm misguided. Those that suggest such things have hidden agendas. The facts are that this country has more than enough Solar resources, Wind resources, Geothermal and Biofuel resources to fuel this Country's needs and more. An effectively defined Energy Vision that combines these resources along with traditional sources could have us Energy Independent within 10-15 years...if we had the proper leadership towards that goal.

Imagine the opportunity to make Foreign and Defense Policy decisions from a different more long-term perspective. Imagine no longer needing to hold up and support dictators, military strong-men (to fund Saddam Hussein one day only to fight him the next is stupid and misguided) or non-democratic regimes.