If Obama gets elected do you think we'll really have the beginning of energy independence in 4 years?

Question

Real changes in policy that begin to move the country to break its dependence on foreign oil...

real changes that begin the process of moving us from fossil fuels to renewables...

...or will we be listening to more excuses?

Answer 1

It was mentioned on CNN last night that he would make real changes in the way oil companies are taxed.  He's going to increase those taxes a lot, which will be passed along to the consumer.

Answer 2

It will be worse than excuses . I  am a retired NASA Eng. and always think of what are the options. Never paint yourself into a corner.

   Bad news ;; Fossil fuels are renewable. Plants have done it for millions of years and will continue. Plants take in the CO2 and give us the O2, but the plant keeps the C. Later the C deteriorates into oil & gas .

Answer 3

No.  His economic understanding makes clear that he would probably be creating gas lines a la Carter.

Answer 4

Not sure if inflating tires is going to get us much....

Answer 5

I think we will be on our way. John McCain has no plan, unless you think just drilling is a plan. Drilling will do one thing, and one thing only, and that is supply more of what the addict wants, oil. The prices will drop, which on a whole is not a bad thing, but it will impede the movement to alternatives. There is one thing that high oil prices have done and that's make people think about how they spend and what they buy. There is a marked change in the type of vehicle on the road (smaller) and how much energy people use at home (lower, because all prices are rising). In the end, that will be a good thing for the long term, and combined with incentives will move us towards independence.  

Answer 6

That depends on what happens with the congressional elections as well.

I think IF Obama is elected and IF Democrats maintain a significant majority in the House and IF Democrats get 60 seats in the Senate, yes, we will see major progress toward energy independence in 4 years.

I think if the Republicans maintain the ability to filibuster the Senate, which appears fairly likely, it will be very difficult to make any major changes.  The other day I heard that Senate Republicans this term have a record number of filibusters - over 90 of them.  But if the Dems get sufficient control, I'm optimistic of what they can do.

Answer 7

Possibly.  It could go either way.  But I do think it will get better.

Answer 8

I can't understand how a 5-month experienced senator can get selected in the primary and run for the President.

As for your question, does he even have a plan?

What's happening to this country?

Answer 9

The thought of energy dependence has been a ongoing enigma for at least fifty years. Politicians appeal to the masses for obvious reasons. So are we going to see another quick fix? I see history repeating itself, becoming less of a environmental issue and more of an economic one. Minimal government action seems to be the recourse, maybe the private sector will have feasible solutions.

Answer 10

It depends if he forces every American to inflate their tires.

Answer 11

i agree with ASV

Answer 12

Real change starts with you and me! It depends on our willingness to make changes in our lifestyles to break the countries dependence  on oil.

Let me ask you how well do you recycle anything re-usable you discard at home and at work? How many oil-based one way products do you use daily that could be substituted with glass or other permanent products? Are you using re-newable energy like solar in your house?

While living in Brussels 10 years ago we had to adhere to a strict re-cycling regiment, in Germany every town has collection containers for glass and aluminum all over towns and cities. Water is much more expensive, so is heat and fuel, forcing citizens to be very energy efficient. Car maker Ford just remembered their cars designed and produced in Europe are much more energy efficient and could be sold and produced in the US.

All these steps seem small, your and mine participation in conservation, but, when added up, it will bring a lot of savings.

I realized a long time ago, not to judge a person by first impression (Sen. Obama), but how the person grasps and uses information. Obama will have to change his mind periodically after  researching how to respond to new issues. I don't like to deal with people who know it all and refuse to admit shortcommings and to change.

Instead of rigid party lines we should discuss what will bring the country forward. A good president is only as good as his advisors (I remember Kennedy put together a great team).

So, instead of bad mouthing one candidate or another - let's get to it and concentrate on what we can do together to make the country great again!

Stupid one liners just show the intellectual level of the writer, it doesn't in any way say anything about either candidate...

Answer 13

The real problem with Obama is that he is except for skin color a clone of Jimmy Carter. And I would expect the same things from him that we got from Carter.

Scraping of any real long term solutions to the energy problem like nuclear, space based solar and other high tech concepts that would interfere with higher Oil Company profits.

Higher interest rates and mortgage costs to skim more money out of the pockets of the people and into those of the super rich who are backing him to the hilt as they did Carter.

Has no body noticed the patron of the poor is spending approximately a hundred dollars on advertising for every dollar McCain is spending and most of it has been cash in unmarked envelopes.

There is a very good reason why smart people view Carter as the worst president the nation has ever had and it could be that Obama might be even worse!