Question...

So, we all agree on the symptoms of the problem (outrageous fuel prices inflating the costs associated with a consumer-driven economy) and we all agree that functional, applicable solutions exist to solve the problem (massive action in research and development of alternative means of fuel production). We can even find common ground in knowing that BOTH sides of the political aisle have failed to address the problem in any measurable manner.

My question now is: How do we change the paradigm in this country to SOLVE the actual problem?

I know the conservative voices out there want the problem to come from market-driven effort within the private sector. No Federal dollars should be spent to solve this issue, because it isn’t a problem the government has any control over in the first place. Can anyone voicing or sharing that opinion give me even ONE successful historical example of this kind of solution, at any point and concerning any issue in America’s past? Because I simply can’t think of even one.

I know the liberal voices out there are calling for direct and complete Federal oversight and/or control of the process by which the US will eventually free itself of its oil addiction. Every Federal dollar available (and many that probably aren’t available) should be spent to solve this problem, while at the same time guarantying that no risk to the environment or cost to existing Federal services be allowed. Can anyone voicing or sharing this opinion give me even ONE successful historical example of this kind of solution, at any point and concerning any issue in America’s past? I can’t think of any success stories… but the Government’s record of failed efforts is long and impressive in this arena, and anyone that doubts me should look up the history of the National Parks Service, the US Forestry Service, the National Recovery Administration, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Bureau of Land Management… just to begin.

I am convinced that a more moderate approach is the only solution. To wait for reform to come from a free-market economic system (to be implemented by consumer demand, in other words) is to resign ourselves to disaster. How many people would have been consigned to death by food poisoning before the meat industry policed itself had Sinclair NOT blown the whistle by writing “The Jungle”? Would they have changed anything anyway, if the Feds hadn’t FORCED them to because of the book?

To expect fast, efficient results from a Federal program or agency is just as silly, though. The one and only example of success here that comes to mind is the Manhattan Project… the equivalent of $24 billion dollars spent over 4 years and requiring 130,000 people to accomplish its goals. Outside of actual, combat operations, I doubt there was a project or agency with higher priority in the entire national structure, though… can we expect THAT kind of action and dedication from what would (by necessity) be multiple Administrations? FDR was the ONLY CIC to serve more than two terms, and no other can now do it… the longest any one PARTY has held the White House since has been Reagan-Bush at 12 years.

How much Government intervention will it take to get the job done? Not enough, and I feel it simply WON’T get done. Too much, and it will get bogged down and bloated to a point where it can’t achieve it’s goals.