THE strategy that we need to adopt for 2006, and especially 2008-

[LiberallyInclined]

The Democratic Party HAS to be the party to steer us away from a petrol-based economy. Cars are NOT going to go away, and we need a different way(s) to power them- personally i think that it will be a combination of bio-diesel and advancements in battery/fuel cell technology that will win out.
we need an Apollo-type program to wean us off the dinosaur juice- not just in fueling our vehicles and heating our homes- but in things like agri-chemicals and plastics too.
If we don't have enough oil to fill our needs, ultimately we will have to fight for it, or learn to do without...and even if we fight for it IF we win(a very big "if"), eventually it's going to run out and we'll still have to learn to do without.
Our dependence on oil makes us and our world unsafe-
China and India, who each has populations that dwarf ours are evolving into societies that are just as oil-hungry, and even moreso, than us.
Not every country can use 25% of the earth's resources the way that we have been.
China and India are bigger, and closer to the oil- we'll have to fight them for the oil, and then get it all the way home to use...that is going to cost A LOT of our children's and grandchildren's lives, and A LOT of our accumulated wealth- their inheritance- and there's NO Gaurantee that we will prevail- odds are, and history says that ultimately we won't.

Doesn't it make MUCH more sense to start working toward a more safe and sane future NOW?

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. It makes great sense.

However, considering all of the issues available for 2006, and they are many, they are going to be going with the ones that will resonate most with the voters. Right now, that looks like the economy and the Iraqi morass. This point might not get the play you want.

[LiberallyInclined]

5. oil is what's behind a lot of the other problems-

the economy and the the iraqi mess you mention for instance.

we need to tie our 'defense' spending- in DOLLARS and LIVES directly to our oil-based economy.

People WILL listen.

[JDPriestly]

2. This is a great idea!

You've found a positive platform plank that we can all agree on, and it's about time we did something to relieve our dependence on oil. -- That's it oil dependence relief.

[amerikat]

3. I couldn't agree more

and we have to start down the road to domestic and renewables NOW or we will be at war forever.

[amerikat]

4. Vegtable oil economy.......in the near term.

To get us through this crisis. After that something less harmfull to the environment. If we had spent $200 billion on energy independance we would not be spending that amount on this stupid war.

[LiberallyInclined]

6. Exactly- that's the point we need to drive home..

every dollar AND LIFE spent fighting an ultimately losing battle for oil, is that much less available for the REAL goal.

[Stinky The Clown]

7. Of course you're right, but here's the part

that amazes me .......

Why wouldn't the oil companies support this? THEY know oil is finite. THEY know we need to go to alternate fuels. THEY're the fuel companies. Why wouldn't THEY take the lead on this and corner the market? Why won't THEY simply change their direction?

I am boggled by this.

Them staying with oil would be like Charlie Brown's continuing attempt to kick the football.

[amerikat]

8. maybe because they have invested in false promises

like cheap oil from Iraq. We have to get farmers involved. Now that we are net importer of food(imagine that..that is another point we need to make). what will farmers grow? ENERGY. Best cash crop in the world>

[LiberallyInclined]

9. Power? greed? laziness? stubborness? lack of foresight?

or perhaps even everything is going pretty much how they've planned- there's still LOTS of money to be made for them via the status quo- it's not like anyone in the executive suites(or their family and friends)is actually going to be spilling their blood for the oil for the money.
and they realize that whatever it is that replaces petroleum derivitives- they already own and operate the distribution system.
and I would imagine that they ARE in fact hedging their bets on the future of the global energy markets, and that they DO have a lot of R&D goint into what ever it is that will be the "next big thing" in fuel and lubrication for the masses.