Call it liberal, call it conservative or just call it crazy. Here is what I think needs to be done.
We are fixated on fossil fuels. Whether fossil fuels cause global warming (personally I think the entire issue is based on silly science) nobody can argue that it does damage to the ecology. More importantly, fossil fuels are not renewable in any reasonable period of time and the reserves will run out some day. In the short-term, our dependence on fossil fuels creates a national security problem and we actually funnel money to the middle east, thus financing much of the terrorist activity we so fear. However, we have federal legislation that limits our ability in the short-term to mitigate our increasing foreign dependence and we have a tax system that makes it unprofitable for the oil companies to explore alternative and renewable energy sources at the pace that is needed. Therefore, I propose that a NASA-like program, focused on development and deployment of alternative and renewable energy sources be established. The primary source of funding would come from the elimination of redundant and unnecessary existing government programs. The life of the agency would be capped at ten years. The purpose would be to advance those technologies that the free-market cannot justify pursuing at this time. The added scientific research might push the oil companies to re-evaluate their development models. However, if that is not enough, increasing the taxes on the distribution networks may provide added boost. However, this must be offset by reduced taxes on the production of current oil reserves as well as the simplifying of rules related to refining of oil products and drilling. If we do all of these things, we will create a short- term cushion against foreign dependence while simultaneously eliminating in the long-term, a dependence that cannot continue for many reasons. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
