US Energy Policy Woes

The US future in energy seems uncertain. As a nation, we deplore the loss of cheap fuel, and the ability to drive certain vehicles in a certain way, which comes along with ample fuel. Yet, as a nation, we seem unable to put two and two together and incentive new research and development into new means of producing cheap, clean energy. Surely, the current characterization of clean energy, as a tree-hungers only, almost anti-American institution has stymied US political good-will towards research into the field. Why must Americans berate and self-flagellate ourselves towards new energy. Why can’t new energy be the new American way? Surely, the US ought to be an example to the world in terms of energy policy and environmental responsibility. As a world hegemon, we seem to disseminate the views of capitalism over environment, and we must now reap the cost: developing nations doing their damndest to emulate our disregard and to consume as much as possible in the pursuit of the American dream.

Yet two of the three possible nominees for President seem totally oblivious to this new way of thinking. Both Clinton and McCain find a holiday gas tax more appealing to US voters than a call for US leadership in the world energy market. When our leaders can’t trust us to choose them without doling out candy and favors to us like children, what does this say about Americans? Whatever it may say about that, it certainly says, in Thomas Friedman’s words, this about the tax break: “This is not an energy policy. This is money laundering: we borrow money from China and ship it to Saudi Arabia and take a little cut for ourselves as it goes through our gas tanks. What a way to build our country.” (“Dumb as We Wanna Be http://www.nytime s.com/2008/04/30/opinion/30friedman.html?em&ex=1209700800&en=5e50edff9f212b25&ei=5087%0A). We seem intent to build our nation upon social irresponsibility and fiscal and policy stupidity. At least China will be able to call in our debt to clean up any future environmental disasters… perhaps we can rest easy after all.