Kerry must annunciate a WAR ON ENERGY.

[Old and In the Way]

Republican financial self interests in setting energy policy has weakened our longterm national security interests. 25 years ago, Reagan (read Bush, Sr.) dismantled Carter's cabinet level Dept. of Energy, dismantled solar grids and hot-water heaters from the WH, and replaced conservation with cheap stable oil. Profitable for them, but not in our best longterm, interests. "Morning in America" is being followed, logically, to the latest Republican vision, "Evening in America". The wealthiest taxcuts are designed to give their friends investment cash equity to reinvest in higher growth capital markets....and they ain't here. Our folly of staying dependent on oil now means more inelastic "supply/demand" pricing structures because countries are bidding for that product to support their industrialization policies.

Kerry must link Bush corporate-government policies over 25 years. The only deviation on this Clinton in 92-2000. Look at the results.

Kerry must lay out that this Republican energy policy has longterm national security/domestic standard of living implications. The cost of this comodity will grow over time, in costs of both treasury and blood.

Kerry must annunciate a WAR ON ENERGY.

Transfer a significant portion of the $400BB Defense Budget (really an Republican Energy Offensive Budget) to fight the war on energy. Invest in tactical and strategic energy investments here that would create significant new jobs by creating a new economy based on decentralizing the source of our energy supply. Fund new jobs in alternative, renewable energies, creating radical new infrastructure to support the decentralization of the energy grid. Decentralized energy is our ultimate anti-terrorist weapon.

The Democratic vision must be to facilitate the Revolution in our transportation systems......policies that value and reward our National Interest - conservation of oil. Instead of promoting the Winston Cup, why not a Sierra Cup? - 50 cars with equal weight/engines, complete for the prize of who goes the furthest distance? Or 50 trucks?

Why not drive markets on environmental/energy standards? Reward innovations and local manufacturing that improve the quality of life in these 2 critical areas that are in our best interests....and the world's, too.

In simplest terms, Kerry and Democrats have to synch their messages and sing in chorus:

Republican Vision = OIL = War's of occupation/invasion = Dead End = ??

Democratic Vision = ALT/REN Energy = Domestic Security = jobs = Future of Hope, Peace, and Prosperity

[Fovea]

1. Yes. You got it.

We don't get to have renewable energy or low CO2 emmiting energy till the last oil baron or sheik pumps the last barrel from the ground, then , and only then, assuming the earth is still liveable, we can pay the oil oligarchs for sunlight and wind.

[ParanoidPat]

2. Perhaps a 'Race for Energy Independence'?......

......We have had enough wars thank you. :evilgrin:

[Old and In the Way]

4. I think Kerry needs to grab their attention.......and I think it will

require that level of national urgency to deal with the problems that Bush and the Roilists have created for us longterm.

But I think your "Race for Energy Independence" is terriffic!

[Toucano]

3. It can't be characterized as a WAR

Although the facts are clearly on your side, it isn't the best way to characterize it.

I think an ENERGY REVOLUTION would be a more accurate description.

Kerry speaks about this every day, I think. The press only reports things he says that involve Vietnam, however.

[Old and In the Way]

6. Energy Revolution is our vision for America's Future

Energy Policy -> Foreign Policy = National Security -> Domestic Security

War on Energy.....isn't that the war we should be fighting....becoming Energy Independent??

[Toucano]

9. War on Poverty

is to eliminate poverty.

War on Drugs is to eliminate illicit drugs.

War on Terrorism is to eliminate terrorism.


So War on Energy must be to eliminate energy?

I don't think that expression is going to resonate.

The Energy Revolution is a kind of War of Independence, true. But the expression "War on Energy" doesn't convey that. Not in the contemporary "War on X" mindset at least.

[Old and In the Way]

11. OK

I see your points. :-)

Wars are being fought against countries for their energy now. Somehow Kerry needs to condense and articulate the message in a way that the electorate clearly understands the key differences in the Republican and Dmocratic vision for America's future.

Gotta grab people's attention, though.

[ParanoidPat]

12. See post # 10

:) :kick:

[ParanoidPat]

7. I prefer the word race as it evokes urgency.....

.....and what true American is against Independence? :evilgrin:

We can use the term revolution in describing the program. It's all about evoking emotions that grab peoples attention. :)

We must win this race to secure America's future! Has a nice ring to it don't ya' think?

[RafterMan]

21. Press reporting

I think Kerry should bring up his proposals every time he's asked about Iraq:

"I can't change Bush's mistakes, so we have to move forward. In the short term, I'll give our troops the equipment they'll need to keep the insurgents in check and promise Iraqis there will be no long-term bases. In the medium term, I'll work with Iraqis *and Iraq's neighbors* to find a stable solution. In the long term, I've got a plan for energy independence to keep us out of middle east politics."

Everyone in the country understands the linkage, so he shouldn't have a hard time making the case. But if the plan is just floating around on its own, the press isn't going to cover it.

[nordenbluejay]

5. Kerry War on Energy

Couldn't agree more, but Kerry has to do more than the knee-jerk, vote begging solution he offered in West Virginia several weeks ago: fund research for "Clean" coal. That old ruse has been around for decades and reveals how shallow Kerry is on energy. As you stated, decentralizing the energy source(small hydrogen power units) is one of the keys. But of course energy and coal companies and coal companies are ready with their big bucks to convince consumers otherwise. Just ask the eagle that is breathing better in the coal ads currently running. Some Americans probably believe eagles cough. The fault rests equally with uninformed Americans. So many are dumb as stumps and proud of it.

[Old and In the Way]

8. He ought not try to formulate policy minutae and compromise

himself along the way. He has to keep it short and sweet. Lay out the big picture, what the Republican Vision is and what our vision.

Make this election a referendum against the Republican vision and for the Democratic solution.

[ParanoidPat]

10. "We ought not be fighting wars to secure dwindling supplies of oil.....

.....rather we should engage our best and brightest minds in a race to secure Americas energy future."

Works for me. :)

[Bread and Circus]

13. I agree. This is THE fundamental problem...even though the vast...

majority of Americans and pundits don't know it.

Most of our troubles right now go back to energy issues. We would be better off and so would the world if we were to make a green economy a reality in 10 to 15 years. It won't happen because the Dem leadership won't stand up for it. They are too busy chasing polls insteading of finding answers.

[Bread and Circus]

14. P.S. have you checked out www.apolloalliance.org

They are all about what you propose.

[Old and In the Way]

16. Thanks....bookmarked.

:-)

[Bread and Circus]

18. Finally, someone took my advice on that..

:)

It rocks, doesn't it!

[ParanoidPat]

15. Agree, this issue should be this JFK's 'race to the moon'!

:evilgrin: :toast:

[Doohickie]

17. Not a War On Energy

Nope. The WAR FOR ENGERGY INDEPENDENCE!

[Bread and Circus]

19. Yes, better title. Perfect!

[Heath.Hunnicutt]

20. YOU = GENIUS

Yes, this is what we want and this is a side of our party that makes us strong.

[Old and In the Way]

22. Thanks, e-mailed your comments to the wife-

apparently, she fails to see the linkage.

:-)

[Heath.Hunnicutt]

24. Not seeing the link...

I don't know your wife, but most of the people I do know who don't see the policy linkages are coming at it from a similar place. Lots of people think that the current administration is doing badly out of stupidity, not greed and malice. After all, 'never ascribe to malice that which mere stupidity can explain.' In my view of this administration, they are banking on that maxim, and this has something to do with the appearances they give of -- of being stupid.

According to some reports, the U.S. spends $90 billion /year defending oil shipping from the Gulf of Arabia.

[Old and In the Way]

25. I meant the genius linkage....

:-)

But I agree with your point about appearances.

This year we've spent $250BB defending oil shipping. What could we have done to create energy independence with $250BB? How many jobs developing a local energy solution could have been created with $250BB? A system that REDUCES the longterm risk of terror, domesticly and internatinally?

[cthrumatrix]

23. very good point

[ohio_dem_52186]

26. Why not a Sierra Cup?

Just a comment, we do actually have a "Sierra Cup" here in the US.

The Dept. of Energy has sponsored the following College Engineering Student Competitions:

FutureCar (early competition series)
FutureTruck (just finished)
ChallengeX (just started)

They are on the web, just Google them.

Schools get seed money and a vehicle with the challenge to increase efficiency, decrease emissions, and keep the same "utility".

I'm a veteran of the competitions... Of course, without a increase in the CAFE standards and/or a shift in public perception, gas guzzlers will continue to rule.