Nixon was POTUS. Back then there was much talk about being energy independent as soon as possible. It was to be a priority. We were importing 40% of our oil.

Not too long ago when gasoline was $4-5 per gallon, it was the battle cry once again.

Fast forward to the current crisis....yupper....same old same old.
Except today we import well over 70% of our oil.

As long as gasoline remains cheap (relatively speaking that is) Americans do not care as long as they are not inconvenienced.

During the past 20 years every time new initiatives were discussed (just like 2-3 years ago) for new refineries, new alternative fuels, higher mileage autos, electric autos, wind mills, nuclear....the stock answer was then as well as a couple of years ago...there is no sense undertaking programs like these because it will take 10 + years to see any benefit. Now just what do you think the political dolts of the day had in mind? Nothing! They were being lead, as they are today, by big oil.....and lip service. Just like we got from Obama a couple of nights ago.

As has been said before, the energy initiatives contain not only the solution to the oil dependence, but the so called global warming (if it is real) and as important new manufacturing to produce these new initiatives products.

Without a plan of action there will be no progress in the next 40 years. Without new manufacturing there will be no solution to the unemployment problem.

We the people are fickle. We blow hot and cold and the politicians count on that apathy.

As has been discussed many times before...just wait until Almadinanutjob lights up a nuke in the mid east or blocks the straights of Hormuz. Then watch what happens as the temporary interruptions of the past are paled in comparison to what we, WE (no R or D or black or white, et al) have experienced. No gasoline. No food on the shelves for starters. Doomsday?
Chicken little? Not at all. It is only a matter of time.
And then we can all sit around our candles and remember the good old days.....when we continued to allow our politicians to run their lips and do nothing.

Those we should feel very bad about are our children/grandchildren......we allowed it to happen.

btk