About Energy Independence

The United States is the leading economy on this planet. We consume more oil than the next 20 countries combined. 

We're at war. Who is the enemy?

What's At Risk

Before we identify the enemy, let's understand what is at risk.

• Oil prices have exploded. It costs a hundred dollars to fill the tank. 
• Food prices change daily. Costs to transport goods have been the change factor.
• Industrial output is more expensive for the same reason.
• The US is less competitive, resulting in loss of the dollar's purchasing power. We buy less with the same dollars. 
• Our dependence on imported oil endangers our national security. 
• Higher costs, fewer jobs - that's the current economy.

Even worse, energy consumption impacts the atmosphere. Whether global warming, melting the ice cap, or shifting the ecosystem, the uncertainty hurts the globe. Uncontrolled consumption is not the leadership image that we should project to the world - the billions more who are also eager to consume.

As long as consumption is not controlled, oil prices will continue to rise. Oil is a non-renewable, limited-supply product. The risks include economics, national security, and global stability. These are everyone's problems.

Blame Shifting

Rather than addressing the solution, the common practice is to blame shift. It's human instinct to self defend for survival. Who do we blame?

• It's the Republicans. It's the Democrats. It's Bush.
• It's the Oil companies - greedy businesses. It's Cheney.
• It's the Christian left. It's the Catholic right. It's the atheists.
• It's the environmentalists. It's the gun-bearing revolutionists.
• It's the Chinese and Indians. It's the Europeans.
• It's the oil cartel.
• It's not us.

The numbers don't change. America consumes more energy than the next 20 countries combined. Special interests create controversy and slow change. We are our own enemy, and we need to change.

What's the Solution

Should we consume less? Give up driving, eating out, vacationing, and all the luxury goods that define America? 

No. We need to consume intelligently. 

Over consumption of non-renewable resources like oil has been the problem. And we have been our own enemies.

Energy independence becomes goal one. 

• Produce more renewable energies
• Shift away from non-renewable
• Import less
• Export new technologies and leadership behavior to the globe. 
  

Control Our Urge to Promote Special Interests

America executes at it's best when faced with a clear war and objective. Special interests create change in democratic societies. Special interests have also compromised when the greater good is at risk. The latest examples have included 9/11, Gulf hurricane, and Californian forest fires. 

What are some of these interests? Are party platforms one form of special interest? Are short term profits? One nearly extinct species? My neighborhood?

Losing this war, will America become the next Roman Empire? Worse, will mankind become the extinct species? 

The energy problem is huge because we consume too much. To change - people, communities, businesses, countries, governments, politicians, scientists, ... everyone needs to contribute. Yet, like every war where America emerges stronger than before - big changes do happen. 

What Can I Do?

Ask yourself. Where can I help? Let me do something today. Each micro-decision to change affects the whole. The whole reflects the American will to win.

It's already happening. US gas consumption has dropped for the first time since the invention of the automobile. Like any war, we need to sustain thousands of small wins. 

The goal is energy independence. Are you defending your country?