The Energy Crisis Of 2008

Drill now and develop our on resourses including
nuculer.Fire every dam congressman that votes for the Liberman/Boxer environment bill. (keller, TX)

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Most of the members of Congress are more focused on the "eternal campaign" in which short run theatrics trump long run solutions; therefore, not much will be accomplished of substance. The sad truth is that although most incumbents and candidates talk about the need for change, they won't provide it. Meaningful change will not come from Washington, it will need to be imposed upon Washington. Amendents for Term Limits and Balanced Budgets are what's needed to start the cleanup process. After that, some type of independent Ethics oversite committee (perhaps retired Federal judges) to see that members actually conduct themselves in an honest and forthright manner. The "Parliament of Whores" culture must be eliminated and replaced with responsible adults. (Lakeland, FL)

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Tap into the American minds and develope alternate energy options. I know from being in the small business world that more and more people are trying to develope and evolve energy soltions. To cut consumption of oil... using energy options. Finally the american people are going to have to pull together as a team to help this world survive thru this crisis. (Myrtle Beach, SC)

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Nothing like a competitive product to drive down price. We need to work on that in the US. That product should be exclusive for the US until we have been able to lower our need for foreign oil. It is do-able! We do not need the government to messup anything else. Just remove the taxes for the rest of the year on each gallon of gas. Use the alternative type diesel, we used in WW2 to offset these high diesel prices. Then don't suppress the new products. The oil companies have done that time and time again. (Ft Worth, Texas)

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Just to have our government say they are going to pass legislation to allow drilling in ANWAR would reduce the cost of a barrel of oil today. The speculation part of the market would drop just as quickly as it went up. (Carlock, IL)

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We need a grass roots show leather drive to get our Elected officials to do what the American people want and thats to develop energy resources here at home. We need to drill for oil, and mine coal in the US. Its time to develop safe nuclear power plants in all 50 states. We should not vote for elected officials who do not understand that American's want us to regain control of our domestic energy.

(Lenexa, Kansas)

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Why are the oil/gas companies not building new refineries? They are clear to do so. Why is America so far behind in building new, better, cleaner Nuclear power plants? Why are the power companies not building new Nuclear power plants? They are clear to do so. (Toledo, OH)

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When I first saw the teaser question, "How has Congress responded?" I nearly dreaded reading the remainder of the column. I was pleasantly surprised. Congress does not need to do any "more" to respond if "more" is little but lip service, gimmicks, and costly bureaucracy. The money for all of these futile actions does not magically appear. It is provided by our taxes. Those monies would be better spent paying the salary of representatives who will make courageous decisions to expand domestic production. Energy R&D is an acceptable and necessary use of our financial resources. Also, if more private dollars are going to be invested in these pursuits, those investors need not be penalized by a short-sited tax code. (Lake Charles, Louisiana)

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We need to produce vehicles that run on alternatives to gas. If we were capable of putting men on the moon 40 years ago we can certainly accomplish this. Secondly, we need to stop the nonsense and start drilling again and using our nation's resources. Keep the dollars in this country and let's try to strengthen the dollar rather then diminishing it's value even more. (Muttontown, New York)

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We need to change the argument and say; that it is not right for the U.S. to use the worlds oil supply without using our own first. (Marshfield, WI.)

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We have to do something. Middleclass America is going deeper into debt and the economy is going to continue to slow down if middle class people only spend money on gasoline.... (Stuart, Fl)

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We should stop subsidizing the fuel companies, however offer insentatives to alternative fuel/engry companies. (Atlanta, GA)

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More production! That is foolish. The long term strategic goals of the USA should be a weaning off of a petroleum economy. Until that occurs we will continue to be at the mercy of politics in the Middle East; we will be pulled into conflicts over oil with China and perhaps India and we will continue to adversely affect our environment. Bush and the Republicans in Congress missed the 9/11 wake-up call and have sat on their hands since then, doing NOTHING but chest thumping to protect the country. The electorate certainly needs to wise up to these empty and misguided statements. (Independence, MO)

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We need to see some immediate effort being made on these issues. What about public transportation and infrastructure that will give Americans travel and commuting options?

We've just about wiped-out the small, local farmers; now we pay the price for transporting food and dairy products across the country.

The cost of heating a home or business is going to be tough this winter; I don't know how we're going to be able to make the budget adjustments necessary to accommodate these fuel rates. (Acton, MA)

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The US leadership always chooses "guns" in the "make butter or guns" equation and we will continue to pay for that choice. We have chosen not to consturct an energy policy since the oil debacle of the Carter administration; but we will choose war in a heartbeat; a few countries have decreased their dependence on oil by developing transportation rail systems and commuter systems and alternatives to oil; the cheney energy task force took us to war and we now have mega inflated gas prices to show for it.

This time let's THINK and choose "butter." (Orlando, Fl)

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The increase of production of our own resources seems oblivious on several fronts, but without the addition of funding towards alternative energy resources, increasing production of our reserves is a mere band-aid to a problem that will only be postponed by simply increasing production. If they are done jointly, we can move responsibly to solving the energy crisis with a responsible business attitude in hand. (Chicago, IL)

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Al Gore, that great prophet of doom and American hatred stated that Americans should be paying $4-5/gallon for their motor fuel. He got his wish. Now with the Global warming scam, his wish will be exceeded beyond even his perverse prophecy. You will be paying $8/gallon if we don't get rid of the ineffective Congress and start harvesting our own energy. Build refineries, mine the oil shale and the coal and drill for oil. You want energy? Don't sue OPEC, that is stupid. Let's get our own energy. (Lehi, UT)

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I wish the Chambwer and Mr. Donohue could stop the right-wing spin on this subject and roll up their sleeves to develop a collaborative approach to a most serious problem. Many major companies, such as GE and DuPont, for example, have faced the problem directly in their own companies and working toward major energy conservation as well switching away from fossil fuel use wherever they can. I wish the Chamber would stop the politicalizing of this issue. (Lewes, Delaware)

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According to several recent government and university studies (see links below), the USA supposedly has huge untapped reserves of oil and natural gas, plus oil shale and coal. There could be over a 400-year supply for the USA, and they can be cheaply extracted, which would allow plenty of time to develop alternative (and working) "green" energy sources. What the USA desperately needs are some real leaders to emerge in both government and business who will stop the dependence on foreign oil, and move us towards energy independence!

http://www.mms.gov/revaldiv/PDFs/2006NationalAssessmentBrochure.pdf

http://www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/reserves/publications/Pubs-NPR/40010-373.pdf

http://www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/reserves/npr/publications/npr_strategic_significancev1.pdf

http://www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/reserves/npr/publications/npr_strategic_significancev2.pdf

http://www.kentlaw.edu/faculty/fbosselman/classes/EnergyLawSp07/PowerPoints/ReichardOilShaleEnergyIndependence.ppt#344,2,Overview

http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/powersystems/publications/OCC_Strategic_Plan_external_Sept06.pdf (Elmhurst, Illinois)

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The opponents will say that this is a complicated issue. It's not. Econ 101, remember? First semester in college. This is a supply and demand issue. All the other factors are downstream of that. The infrastructure is set up for oil. Alternative energy will have to come from the private sector. Give the areas that the drilling effects tax breaks and they will go along with it. This is the issue the next election should be about. (Harrisonburg, VA)

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How much crude oil is produced in the U.S.A and the Continental Shelves and where does it go? (Louisville, KY)

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We must drill for oil in Alaska and off our coast. We must have more refinery capacity. We must have nuclear energy. If not these,..... PAY THE PRICE. (Big Spring, TX)

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We've known about the problems with fossil fuels since at least the 1970's. We've deliberately chosen to do absolutely nothing about it, and elected men and women to congress who supported continuing the status quo.

For almost 40 years, we've been running down the same dead-end path and chosen to listen only to those who'll support our short-sighted beliefs. Now we want to blame the congress that we've elected for not waving a magic wand to get us out of the rut we've been determined over all these years to get into. Get real!

You're saying we've got all these years to continue to gorge ourselves on fossil fuels before the supply runs out. Then what? This is the same attitude of 'let the future pay the bill' that got us here, meanwhile pointing the finger of blame elsewhere. **OUR** choices got us here not the 'liberals' or the 'conservatives'. So, why should we demand that our politicians send the bill to our children's table?

Here's what I see is the attitude of most of the comments on this site: damn the consequences for the future (environmental impact, nuclear proliferation and waste disposal, food and health crises, etc.) give us cheap gas for our SUV's so we can go wherever we want whenever we want and do whatever we want and let somebody else worry about paying for the solutions. Great.

The bill's coming due for our past waste. Let's just fire the whores in congress that suggest that we pay it. Just give us more of the same and leave us the hell alone. (Rehoboth Beach, DE)

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The solution is obvious and has always been. If we can get past the ridiculous environmentalist that say drilling will destroy our environment, and start tapping into our own resources, we can create more jobs in an already struggling economy, create more oil and coal resourses, and reduce the costs of crude oil which will trickle down to prices. We as Americans need to take a closer look at how our people are being taken over the coals right now. The boost in our economy could also make it possible for the average American to afford alternate fuel vehicles which are fairly pricey in todays market, further reducing our dependancy. (Grants Pass , Oregon)

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*** You may not be familiar with the name Patrick J. Kelly. But he has compiled a fabulous 1,700 page free report on the current state of alternative energy research. His website is http://www.free-energy-info.co.uk/. You can download his free book at http://www.free-energy-info.co.uk/PJKBook.html. There are hundreds of patents and documentation for various energy breakthroughs. This is a solid scientific work, not some crack-pot theories written by conspiracy-minded individuals. *** (Elmhurst, Illinois)

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Many people are subscribing a short term solution to a long term problem, more drilling and mining, what happens when that 400 year supply runs out and whomakes those predictions, no one can guess what technology will demand in 400 years r what advances or set backs we will face. How about greater fuel efficiency in our vehicles. It does exist, already. Has everyone also forgotten the amount of profit generated by these oil and gas companies. Americans need to come together on this issue. We are the largest source of demand on these resources worldwide and as someone stated above its simple economics, supply and demand control the price in a free trade market setting. So they claim the supply cannot keep up with demand. It sounds to me like the demand can have a lot of control over what we are willing to pay for the supply. Americans always bicker and wait for the government or environmental groups or whomever to fix the problem we accept no responsibility of our own. Yet I have not seen the government fix anything, ever. (Prescott, AZ)

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This "addiction to oil" is costing us more. There is opportunity in this crisis, however there will be short term blood. The market will birth lower cost solutions - whether it means ending the "great American love affair with the automobile" and switching to high speed rail or feeding that automobile with alternative fuels or some other great source of energy. Ever wonder why Warren Buffet is investing in railroads? Of course, a space for creating new solutions is necessary - a space that vested interests in the oil and conventional auto industry may try to collapse. Case in point GM and the electric streetcar systems in Cleveland in the 1950s.

What do we do in the short run - as an earlier writer said - just announce that drilling in the ANWAR region is going to begin. Fear will trump greed among the speculators. No tax holiday on gasoline is going to have any effect on consumption except provide fodder for the politician to campaign on. (Warrenville, IL)

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While true leadership is practically nonexistent in Washington, we do have a courageous few that need our support as they work toward real solutions to a variety of problems facing our nation and world at this critical time. Go check out www.americansolutions.com and see how you can be a part of solving our problems, rather than continuing to hopelessly complain that things are simply never going to change. Be sure to sign his petition to DRILL NOW. DRILL HERE. PAY LESS. This is a real and practical solution to the energy crisis, and will strengthen our economy and allow us to invest in even better resources and technologies down the road. (Yuma, Arizona)

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For a couple of oil men, the only thing this administration has done is made the oil execs richer. Drilling in the US is not an option. If we drill now, we will use all of our oil without working hard to find alternatives, and we are still dependent on others for our oil. Save our reserves for are own use later on down the road. That is national security.

Most of our oil does not come from the Middle East, but yet we act as if it does. Congress should let ethonal made from sugar kane into this country (an item that Bush blocked) to offset the price of gas and food.

If we need a refinery, let the big talker in the White House put on in Crawford. I agree that we need more nuclear power, end subsidies for oil companies, and create a real fuel policy that works. Even the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has only paid lip service to the issue. (York, Maine)

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In response to Jeff M. Are you living in a cave? We can not and have not been able to pursue clean coal, oil exploration, nuclear power due to environmental zealots that file law suits every time we attempt to establish reasonable energy policy. These environmental nut jobs are interested in one thing which is to bring down the American economy and our way of life. They hate the fact that America prospers while much of the world struggles to survive. No one in their right mind wants to polute the environment but the real issue is how do we blend tecnology and innovation in a sensible way to maintain our standard of living and have a clean environment at the same time. It can be done and the much of the technology is already available to do so. Energy policy has been guided by the socialist lefties and their allies in government for so long that now even France is farther toward sensible energy policy than we are. We need to take the obvious steps of drilling, exploring, pursueing nuclear power and let the leftie socialists scream their brains out. One other thing let's vote out the moron Senators and Congressmen that couldn't run a hotdog stand and get responsible people in these positions to lead America toward excellence. The tail has wagged the dog way to long and if we don't get it right soon this country will take a back seat to the rest of the developing world. (Dayton, Ohio)

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Until we change our mindset, we're not likely to find permanent, effective solutions. The reality is, we don't have an "energy crisis," we have an "energy chronic." If we persist in thinking of this as a "crisis" we'll only find termporary, stop the leak solutions. For evidence, look at the last 30 years or better of response. We've been decrying the "energy crisis" since the mid 70s. No crisis lasts 30 or 40 years. And we've done nothing to help resolve the issue. It's a chronic situation, and it begs for long-term, syetemic solutions. (West St. Paul, Minnesota)

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congress has stoped our oil companys from drilling in the gulf but china is drilling 40 miles off our shore and taping our supplys how stupid can the idiots we sent to D.C be (davenport, Iowa)

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This is the perfect storm of greed, and the lack of accountability by our elected officials.
It may take a decade to correct the negative affect it will have on our economy. (Homewood, Illinois)

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Tom's commentary is right on. The temporary suspension of the gas tax is only a band aid. We must hold our Senators & Congressman accountable for the inactivity we are currently seeing. Why do we continue to allow the Middle East to dictate our domestic economy & how we live & work. Charlie S. (Dubuque, Iowa)

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Republicans and Democrats are going to be required to push aside each of their polarizing radical beliefs and invent ways we can drill in enviromentally areas safely, develope wind power, solor power, manufacture vehicles run at very high miles per gallon, and yes the government will have to be involved the give these issues a priority status so that we can protect our security in all areas.

Left Wing Liberals and Right Wing Neocons are greedy. I have never witnessed such greed on both sides in my life. We must solve the problems not fight and blame. We can prevail if each side will end the greed. Vote whoever in is office out each election whether they are Democrats or Republicans.

(Houston, Texas )

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HOLD ON I have the answer!!! Just keep drilling for more oil!! Right?! and then when we totally run out, we won't be paying $5 or even $10 a gallon. We won't be paying anything because there won't be any left.

That is why it is imperative to go ahead and start weaning ourselves off of these fossil (NON-renewable) fuels. Even if you don't believe in about climate change, you should care about having OPEC control our economy. We need renewable sources and we need them soon. If an extra tax on carbon, or cap-and-trade will help move our great AMERICAN ingenuity and engineering to achieve this, then so be it. (Huntsville, AL)

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Lets see - congress has ripped the American taxpayer off for about 3 trillion dollars in taxes on oil companies and anyone else in the energy business they can find to tax, and yet they have not produce one oz of oil or gas. They whine about high oil, high gas, etc. and then pass more rules and reguations to stop any drilling, etc in the US. Lets see Waters wants the government to take over the oil companies. Now that shows the kind of leadership we have elected to congress. Now we have these rockes we elect attempting to impose on the American people Capt and Trade. Another big rip off that will greae the skids for the special interests that are drolling over all the money they can rip off the American people with the whole concept. We have enough mandates, rule, laws, and failed programs. Time to roll the US Government back and it is time to unemploy Waters and many more in Congrss - the sooner the better. The Chamber needs to be fighting to bring some leaderhip and comman sense to this issue. The people at OPEC must have been rolling on the ground laughing when they heard congress was going to pass a law allowing them to be sued. (San Antonio, Texas)

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I noticed Ron wishes the Chamber would stop politicizing this issue. The truth is the other side has been amazing effective in winning in the arena of public opinion and it is about time someone starting stating the "truths" of how Congress and the environmental lobby have thwarted any initiatives for energy independence. Thank God the Chamber has started to speak out on this issue. (Cornelius, North Carolina)

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Why is it OK for China to be drilling for oil 50 miles off our coast and we can not touch those oil reserves? I guess they are more concerned about the environment and any ecological impact drilling has! With all of their land mass why are they drilling off the US coast? Might it be because that't where the oil is? I guess it makes more sense for us to be held hostage by the oil cartel than by the environmentalist cartel!! (Bismarck, ND)

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This is another spin on the big picture. Question: How was it that Reagan was able to defeat communism? Answer: Through economics! Communism was a failed system. Presently, if our representative system of government does not change, we will become a failed system. Do you think that OPEC and China do not know this? Our nation has always been a reactionary body and if we do not react by becoming more self sufficient, we are doomed. (Fresno, California)

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The environmental extremists are absolutely going to "do us in". Taking care of what God has given us is responsible stewardship, but this environmental political correctness game has got to end! We, the people, are fed up with this stupidity! We no longer have a government of the people and by the people, but rather multiple term politicians sleeping with ignorant environmentalists and making a living off the backs of good, decent Americans. For heavens sakes, politicians, leave us alone, go back to where you came from, get a real job and find out what it is like for the hardworking people of your state. Our government should be deeply ashamed at its reluctance to stand up to "envirowhackos" and their whining about digging for oil in Alaska. We are angry and demand LEADERSHIP and responsible action from those who are supposed to represent us. I give you my word, I will actively work to root out every arrogant, dishonest politician in office. You will answer to God some day for your lack of concern for those whom you swore to serve. WE DEMAND THAT THE DRILLING IN ALASKA BEGIN!!! (Bainbridge, GA.)

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Finally, and I agree with Mr. Donohoe. Our congress should be working day and night to pass legislation that will free our oil companies up to drill in the U.S. and build more refineries. We should also be building more nuclear power plants.

Even though I am a neanderthal conservative, I would allow that the government should put something in the bill that requires some profits to go into r&d of alternative sources of energy.

But it is just ridiculous not to be going after all the oil that is available right now. Yes, as a previous writer said, it may/will all be gone one day, but we might as well use our own oil while we are working to wean ourselves off of petroleum.

Just the hint that we are going to pass this legislation would have an immediate downward effect on the price of a barrel of oil. The problem in the past is that we always go back to our old ways when Opec tweaks that price of oil. We need to say we are going to drill in the U.S. and actually do it. The prices will come down quickly.

Lets put serious pressure on congress with an email campaign to do this. Just as the will of the American people stopped the Amnesty bill last summer, we can force the congress to act on this gas problem.

I will email my congressmen, will you? (bloomington , MN)

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Lets face it! Oil companies in this country are lining the pockets of most of the people that are running this country. Good Ole George being one. We the people also have to take some responsibility for the consumption in this country. Those of you who do have the means to afford Hummers, Large Trucks and the ever popular SUV are not helping, infact you are driving the prices ever higher because you can afford the gas. I drive the most economical car i can afford that (9 years old) gets 37 miles to the gallon and it still costs 165.00 a month to drive the 45 miles round trip to work. All of us bitch but know one seems to want to adjust thier life style. Which makes what the rest of the world says pretty true WE have becom Spoiled and Gluttonous!! Our so called leaders being at the top of the ladder. (Clarkdale , AZ)

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Tom,
Supply and demand is not really the issue, we have enough supply, no shortages, no low levels at the refineries. Yes, oil companies have not built any new refineries, meaning they are not reinvesting any of their windfall profits. That's part of the problem. We can stop this by eliminating the antiquated tax credit legislation that is growing their profits without requiring reinvestment. Want a tax credit...reinvest! Otherwise, pay taxes like the rest of us.
This administration has also alienated most of the oil producing countries and we the people must suffer for the shortfalls of our leadership. That is the rest of the problem. Hopefully that can change after 01/20/2009.
(Hilton Head Island, SC)

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Fire all in Congress who buy into global warming and who will not agree to term limits. Start the development of alternative non- fossil fuels, but for the short term, go get the oil we (the U.S.) has, including coal and tar sand for coal to liquid (CTL), build nuclear plants. Unfortunately, these worthless nuts in congress could never understand something this simple. I think this country is ready for a reform party headed by Mike Huckabee who will run on this platform and get candidates who will run for congress on this platform and clean house in Washington. (Anniston, AL)

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George Bush threatened the Arabs with the development of hydrogen fuel proir to the war. Hydrogen from water is all over the net and has been done for years in cars. Those unaware should come to their senses that despite all sciences progress there has been none for fossil fuel ... and all incentive for solar, wind and other alternative energy has been halted at the gvt level. People should call their local representatives and raise a stink at the grassroots level for fast action for hydrogen power.. Our country is dependent on energy and we really shouldn't be over this political barrel. That is what you should be promoting. (Warwick, RI)

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I'm sure if Al Gore tried he could find a correlation with CO2 levels and the number of people making their living from discussing these issues. If they would just shut up we might have enough cap and trade to allow for more fossil fuel production. Alternative fuel would something that is actually an alternative. If we don't consider cost, I would assume that paying someone to carry me on their back would be considered an alternative. (Dallas, Texas)

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In my opinion it appears the American public is being held hostage by those that want to change the transportation and energy habits of America by super inflated fuel prices. This MANIPULATED crisis has less to do about supply and demand than any of us will admit. This is crippling the average American family with increased cost all accross the board. Congress has to be held accountable and it has to be done without regard to party lines. We are the most powerful nation in the world and we have allowed ourselves to be held hostage. (Bassett, VA)

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We have been sending our elected representives to Washington for 30 years and all they have accomplished toward energy independence is new taxes on oil companies and new restrictions on where they can drill. Their excuse is the other party is against this and stoped the legislation. It is time to relate to all elected representatives that if they personally cannot get this accomplished then we will replace them with someone who can. (Albany, Georgia)

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Are they trying to give fuel to the Conspiracy Theorists out there that think our government is taking us into a New World Order? They are doing everything but what should be done. Why are they not focusing on giving tax breaks to new technologies, or creating incentives for companies to change their ways. There need to do something NOW! Will someone up there actually listen to us little old Americans. Please feel free to visit my politically charged news blog site at www.news2know.info (Palm Bay, FL)

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