Should government lead the Alternative Fuel research programs?

Question

Scientists have made progress w/o government assistance and have more to offer than Politicians on Alternative Fuels. Progress has been hindered by government assistance such as subsidizing the Oil Sector. Careful of what you wish for, we have seen our leadership bungle even the simplest of tasks such as balance the economy.

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/projects/2006/09/energyproject/timeline.shtml

Answer 1

The government runs Social Security, Amtrak, Medicare, Medicaid...now you tell me do you really want them in charge?

Answer 2

what is the alternative ?  i understand free market competition is healthy for progress, but when it comes time to release it to the populace, what then?

it will have to pass govt muster, like food and drugs have to pass through the fda which is manipulated by 'special interests' or who has the most bribe money.  and then they want to quash simple stuff like herbs and natural medicine because their friends in the pharm industry aren't making any money off it.

medical science may be doing great things in the background but spawned the pharmaceutical industry.  they have to invent syndromes just so their new pills have something to 'fix', well except for the side effects.  

how can we stop the private sector from perverting the alternative fuel sector with their capitalist greed ?

so it is necessary to develop, but i can see it being taken advantage of.

Answer 3

Not if George bush or any other republican is in office lol

Answer 4

no, the market should. but since the consumer is so d**n stupid this is the reason why we are in the mess were in. 1974 gas crisis, learned nothing.... 1979 gas crisis, learned nothing...... 2007 gas crisis, learning nothing so far....  the market will dictate which way we go.

but on the bright side Obamer will CHANGE ALL THAT!!!! yeah right!!!

Answer 5

The government is the people who have been subsidizing alternative energy research.  Of course this sort of research has yet to produce a viable energy supply - despite 30 years and billions of dollars in research money.