Originally Posted by BFT3K

I am not a big fan of outrageous govt control over everything, but when the topic is ENERGY then regulations must be mandated. Some possible steps could be as follows...

1) Beginning in 2010 cars MUST achieve a MINIMUM of 50 MPG, regardless of their means of movement (gas, electric, hybrid, etc.) - followed by maybe 60 MPG by 2012, and so on.

2) No new construction can take place without minimum energy requirements - types of materials used, light fixtures, insulation, and yes, maybe even solar panels.

3) A new electric grid must be developed, so we can feed the grid via alternate energy sources, and so that disasters (terrorist or major storms for example), are not able to cripple us in one fell swoop, Another words, more compartmentalization, coupled with the ability to feed the grid with unused power from our own solar panels for instance.

4) Tax breaks and incentives can be issued, proportional to the amount of benefit a company can provide for the independence of the USA.

I can go on and on, but in order to make BIG CHANGES happen it is more likely that the govt is onboard, otherwise you will be fighting the system at all turns. Like when Chevron purchased the battery technology developed for the EV-1, only to bury it, so we had to remain slaves to oil.

I can't fund this level of change, but if you offer me a 65 MPG Ford (like we sell in Europe but not in the US, for example), I would do my part by driving that car, and helping at least a little bit.

To say that the problem is so big that nothing can be done about it, is to embrace defeat.

If we were REALLY determinde to WIN this "war on terror" then we should impose radical changes and deadlines to move away from oil. Of course that won't happen, because it would actually fix the problem, and that would make too much sense.

What the American people accomplished in WWII was amazing! We built tanks, airplanes. bombs, etc. in record time, like we were actually at war - and we were efficient and triumphant in the endeavor!

An administration that actually partners with the American people would have almost no limits whatsoever. I can't believe how many people are already out to fight with the Obama administration before giving it a chance, and before trying to work together to succeed in a common cause that would benefit us all. Sad really...

United We Stand - Divided We Fall... the choice is our own.