This Time article genuinely puts the conservatives' mockery of
Obama's call for simple efforts to increase energy efficiency (such as
checking tire pressure) in its place. Is it really that outrageous to ask
for some cooperation from Americans themselves?
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http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1829354,00.html
How out of touch is Barack Obama? He's so out of touch that he
suggested that if all Americans inflated their tires properly and took
their cars for regular tune-ups, they could save as much oil as new
offshore drilling would produce. Gleeful Republicans have made this
their daily talking point; Rush Limbaugh is having a field day; and the
Republican National Committee is sending tire gauges labeled "Barack
Obama's Energy Plan" to Washington reporters.
But who's really out of touch? The Bush Administration estimates that
expanded offshore drilling could increase oil production by 200,000
bbl. per day by 2030. We use about 20 million bbl. per day, so that
would meet about 1% of our demand two decades from now.
Meanwhile, efficiency experts say that keeping tires inflated can
improve gas mileage 3%, and regular maintenance can add another
4%. Many drivers already follow their advice, but if everyone did, we
could immediately reduce demand several percentage points. In other
words: Obama is right.
Politics ain't beanbag, and Obama has defended himself against
worse smears. The real problem with the attacks on his tire-gauge
plan is that efforts to improve conservation and efficiency happen to
be the best approaches to dealing with the energy crisis — the
cheapest, cleanest, quickest and easiest ways to ease our addiction to
oil, reduce our pain at the pump and address global warming. It's a
pretty simple concept: if our use of fossil fuels is increasing our
reliance on Middle Eastern dictators while destroying the planet,
maybe we ought to use less.
The RNC is trying to make the tire gauge a symbol of unseriousness,
as if only the fatuous believed we could reduce our dependence on
foreign oil without doing the bidding of Big Oil. But the tire gauge is
really a symbol of a very serious piece of good news: we can use
significantly less energy without significantly changing our lifestyle.
...
We can use those twisty carbon fluorescent lightbulbs. We can unplug
our televisions, computers and phone chargers when we're not using
them. We can seal our windows, install more insulation and adjust our
thermostats so that we waste less heat and air-conditioning. We can
use more-efficient appliances, build more-efficient homes and drive
more-efficient cars, preferably with government assistance. And, yes,
we can inflate our tires and tune our engines, as Republican governors
Arnold Schwarzenegger of California and Charlie Crist of Florida have
urged, apparently without consulting the RNC. While we're at it, we can
cut down on idling, which can improve fuel economy another 5%, and
cut down on speeding and unnecessary acceleration, which can
increase mileage as much as 20%.
And that's just the low-hanging fruit. There are other ways to reduce
demand for oil — more public transportation, more carpooling, more
telecommuting, more recycling, less exurban sprawl, fewer
unnecessary car trips, buying less stuff and eating less meat — that
would require at least some lifestyle changes. But things like tire
gauges can reduce gas bills and carbon emissions now, with little pain
and at little cost and without the ecological problems and oil-addiction
problems associated with offshore drilling. These are the proverbial
win-win-win solutions, reducing the pain of $100 trips to the gas
station by reducing trips to the gas station. And Americans are already
starting to adopt them, ditching SUVs, buying hybrids, reducing overall
gas consumption. It's hard to see why anyone who isn't affiliated with
the oil industry would object to them.
...
It's sad to see [John McCain's] campaign adopting the politics of the
tire gauge, promoting the fallacy that Americans are powerless to
address their own energy problems. Because the truth is: Yes, we can.
We already are.
Originally posted by wittywonkaBravo!
This Time article genuinely puts the conservatives' mockery of
Obama's call for simple efforts to increase energy efficiency (such as
checking tire pressure) in its place. Is it really that outrageous to ask
for some cooperation from Americans themselves?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http ...[text shortened]... s their own energy problems. Because the truth is: Yes, we can.
We already are.
Originally posted by wittywonkagood to have you back dude. nice post
This Time article genuinely puts the conservatives' mockery of
Obama's call for simple efforts to increase energy efficiency (such as
checking tire pressure) in its place. Is it really that outrageous to ask
for some cooperation from Americans themselves?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http ...[text shortened]... s their own energy problems. Because the truth is: Yes, we can.
We already are.
- Joined
- 02 Feb 06
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Originally posted by wittywonkaTotally agree. Conservation is the key to our economic future. Let's conserve first then see if we need to drill for more oil. Good for Obama for speaking up about it. Conservation/efficiency should be the #1 issue for the next president.
This Time article genuinely puts the conservatives' mockery of
Obama's call for simple efforts to increase energy efficiency (such as
checking tire pressure) in its place. Is it really that outrageous to ask
for some cooperation from Americans themselves?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http ...[text shortened]... s their own energy problems. Because the truth is: Yes, we can.
We already are.
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterSurely using less energy and being more efficient is beneficial to the economy? How does wasting energy and resources benefit the economy?
Why? Without economic activity, we can all stay at home, in the dark, in the cold...and starve.
Originally posted by mrstabbyWhile I am not one to agree with DSR's poorly explained point, there is an argument that can be made that by getting the oil out of the oceanfloor, it does help the economy. By not getting the oil however, it won't put us all into darkness.
Surely using less energy and being more efficient is beneficial to the economy? How does wasting energy and resources benefit the economy?
A quick explanation. The oil in the oceanfloor is worthless until people start going after it. It's called "monetizing an asset" in economic speak. By drilling for the oil, you create jobs. By shipping the oil you create more jobs. By processing the oil you create even more jobs. At worst, you maintain the current jobs that are involved in the oil/gas industry.
It's the basic fundamental truth of any industry. It's wealth creation. Plain and Simple. You cannot create wealth if you don't have an asset to exploit. The oil is the asset.
But in reality, most people are only looking for ways to save money on gas. The stuff in the first post will do that better than drilling for a relatively small amount of oil will...guaranteed.
The only ones that will truly benefit from drilling for more US oil are the oil companies and their shareholders.
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterWithout restraint we can all sit on our butts, obese, drugged out, in the oven like climate caused by global warming, etc.
Why? Without economic activity, we can all stay at home, in the dark, in the cold...and starve.
Yes, extremes are bad. That doesn't mean conservation is the Devil.
Originally posted by uzlessThanks for that, getting a better picture of the mindset now.
While I am not one to agree with DSR's poorly explained point, there is an argument that can be made that by getting the oil out of the oceanfloor, it does help the economy. By not getting the oil however, it won't put us all into darkness.
A quick explanation. The oil in the oceanfloor is worthless until people start going after it. It's called "moneti ...[text shortened]... ruly benefit from drilling for more US oil are the oil companies and their shareholders.
I'd wager that the economic benefits of cheaper transportation would offset this benefit of wealth generation.
Efficient utilisation would surely decrease the price of oil... I can see now why the oil companies and their shareholders might not like the idea of improved efficiency
Originally posted by uzlessNot true -- Americans will benefit because we'll get cheaper gas and we won't be sending our money overseas to finance another Arctic theme park in Dubai or foreign terrorists.
...The only ones that will truly benefit from drilling for more US oil are the oil companies and their shareholders.
- Joined
- 02 Feb 06
- Moves
- 123634
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterAgreed and our economic well being is tied to energy prices. The only realistic way to reduce those prices is to reduce demand by being more conservative and efficient in our use of energy.
Why? Without economic activity, we can all stay at home, in the dark, in the cold...and starve.
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterSo whoever drills off the coast or in Alaska have 'promised' to sell it in America, have they?
Not true -- Americans will benefit because we'll get cheaper gas and we won't be sending our money overseas to finance another Arctic theme park in Dubai or foreign terrorists.