<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Debate part 2: Obama stays on energy independence message]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by PurpleOzone http://www.grist.org/article/did-obama-back-off-the-energy-independence-issue-in-a-word-no/ Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:33:44 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/did-obama-back-off-the-energy-independence-issue-in-a-word-no/1 Underlaying this economic mess:

Somebody, I presume Wall Street, has been financing our Trade Deficit, last year amounting to $700 billion dollars (coincidentally). How did they do it? Apparently by using inflated real estate as assets.
Much of this deficit is because we import oil. So one big key to improving our economy is to reduce consumption of oil.
Of course, Obama knows this (and much else). I'm sure weening us from oil will be a big priority.

]]> Underlaying this economic mess:

Somebody, I presume Wall Street, has been financing our Trade Deficit, last year amounting to $700 billion dollars (coincidentally). How did they do it? Apparently by using inflated real estate as assets.
Much of this deficit is because we import oil. So one big key to improving our economy is to reduce consumption of oil.
Of course, Obama knows this (and much else). I'm sure weening us from oil will be a big priority.

]]> Comment #2 by Sean Casten http://www.grist.org/article/did-obama-back-off-the-energy-independence-issue-in-a-word-no/ Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:58:28 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/did-obama-back-off-the-energy-independence-issue-in-a-word-no/2 Worth noting

That every president since Eisenhower has told us that they were going to make us energy independent... and every president since Eisenhower has left as a little more energy dependent at the end of their term than the start.

I don't raise to be dismissive or cynical, but rather to point out that for a president to actually deliver on this message, we have to believe (a) that it is possible, 50 years of past experience to the contrary and (b) the policies espoused by said president will be a massive shift away from the 5-decade and counting status quo.

I'm optimistic enough to believe (a), but I've not seen either candidate yet convince me that they have a path to (b).  Bundles of tax credits, offshore drilling leases, ANWR and R&D activities don't change the paradigm.  And while there are certainly significant differences in emphasis between the candidates, neither has yet (to my mind) demonstrated an understanding that the problem is the paradigm.

In other words, let's not let our preference for Obama over McCain (or McKinney, for that matter) keep us from being critical of those elements of his plan that are still pretty raw.

]]> Worth noting

That every president since Eisenhower has told us that they were going to make us energy independent... and every president since Eisenhower has left as a little more energy dependent at the end of their term than the start.

I don't raise to be dismissive or cynical, but rather to point out that for a president to actually deliver on this message, we have to believe (a) that it is possible, 50 years of past experience to the contrary and (b) the policies espoused by said president will be a massive shift away from the 5-decade and counting status quo.

I'm optimistic enough to believe (a), but I've not seen either candidate yet convince me that they have a path to (b).  Bundles of tax credits, offshore drilling leases, ANWR and R&D activities don't change the paradigm.  And while there are certainly significant differences in emphasis between the candidates, neither has yet (to my mind) demonstrated an understanding that the problem is the paradigm.

In other words, let's not let our preference for Obama over McCain (or McKinney, for that matter) keep us from being critical of those elements of his plan that are still pretty raw.

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