Good morning! I’m Clint Curtis, candidate for Florida’s 24th District. On my last diary that so many Kossacks graciously recommended, some of you asked about my stance on energy. That’s an excellent question; one so vital that it demands a diary asking this entire community for input and feedback.
There is no greater looming threat to America’s national and economic security than our addiction to oil. Terrorism, instability in the Middle East, sagging domestic auto sales, stagflation, recession, depression, interest rates, agriculture, disposable income, pollution, climate change; each and every one of these great challenges converge independently on one variable: energy. The good news is that that variable is within our control. The bad news of course is whose been controlling it for the last seven years.
Despite our national legacy as a culture of science and technology, in times past nurtured by visionary leaders and sweeping government policies, the response of the Bush-Cheney Whitehouse and Republicans like Grover Norquist or my opponent Tom Feeney, has been that government isn’t the solution, it’s the problem ... Is a Congressman or President with this ideology likely to govern well? I can, and I will ...
It’s not because I have any secret futuristic methods or super abilities. In fact, it’s the opposite: like you, I accept proven past solutions and the process that led to them. Like you, I embrace science and technology. And as a resident living near Kennedy Space Center, I’ve personally witnessed the inspiring synergy of smart public policy, American scientific ingenuity, and the private sector.
Tom Feeney’s way of doing business is obviously over, but as progressives once again take the reins of power back from the incompetent and corrupt clowns who nearly succeeded in stampeding the nation over a cliff, a fair and necessary question is how are we going to clean up their mess and forge ahead with our energy solution? The answer is surprisingly straightforward, in part because the first two components of a three step path to energy freedom are already in place. And some of the heavy lifting for the legislative and engineering piece of the puzzle has already been put into place by a team of experts who meet regularly right here on Daily Kos called Energize America.
The first step is to widely implement energy efficient technologies that already exist. It’s tempting given the serial blunders by domestic automobile manufacturers to just throw in the towel and allow ruthless market forces to punish their lack of vision with ruthless Darwinian efficiency. But we don’t have to give up and throw millions of American factory workers into the gaping jaws of compassionate conservative unemployment and hopeless poverty.
This country gives an average of $233 million per day to oil rich countries to provide for our energy needs.
I propose an energy policy that gives the power to control our own destiny back to America. It is possible today, with existing technology, to make America 100% energy independent. Even better, America can become 100% energy independent with a constantly renewable energy supply.
By switching this country from fossil fuels to bio-diesel this country could fill all its fuel needs - both now and into the future. It would reduce pollutants and deny the Middle Eastern countries any control over us our world politics. We can achieve full energy independence without the need to occupy the Middle East or any other country for economic reasons.
Americans have always equated diesel power with the huge slow work trucks and 18-wheelers. Existing technology can provide a bio-diesel car than gets 40 miles per gallon and yet has sports car speeds of 0-60 in 8.4 seconds. That is faster than a BMW325, a Buick Regal with a 455hp engine, a 1967 Camaro SS350, or a new top of the line Honda.
Mass production of bio-diesel has been estimated as low as 27 cents per gallon. By the time the oil companies have transported and dispensed it through the existing fuel network, the cost will probably be a little higher.
Can you imagine filling your tank for $3 dollars instead of $50? Imagine how that can reduce other consumer prices by reducing transportation cost. Beyond the simple dollars and cents of energy independence, think of the savings of human life and suffering if we are not put in the position of invading oil rich countries and guarding pipelines that are not even really ours.
This will provide us with full energy independence while we work to implement even better alternatives. It is the best answer today because it can be implemented on a national scale utilizing the existing fuel framework.
This is the America of hope that has been taken from us for seven years. This is the world that awaits us, the one I’m sure you and I envision: But its world we’re going to have to fight for, and take back, if we want it.
The easy knee-jerk response is to demonize integrated energy companies. But those corporations did not unilaterally create this problem, and they might in the end be part of the solution. But that can never happen as long as lawmakers like Tom Feeney have their hand in your future. Mr. Feeney’s voted YES on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy in Nov 2003. He voted YES on passage of the Bush Administration national energy policy in Jun 2004.
The netroots/progressive way of solving problems using science, technology, and engineering led by wise government policies lays waiting in the wings. And we will succeed: if we plan, if we believe, if we act -- We will Prevail.
I’ve heard it said and seen it written that our nation hit its inspirational, scientific peak when a mighty Saturn V lifted off from Launch Complex 39 just a few miles from where I sit and hurled a tiny capsule to the Sea of Tranquility. I’ve heard it said that our problems have grown too great to resolve: Nonsense. We will never solve the problems of this country by declaring them impossible. If we are not happy with the conditions of this country then we are honor bound to solve them. That’s why it’s so terrific to standing virtually before individuals as dedicated and exceptional as the members of the progressive netroots: Long after our soldiers have left Iraq: Long after democracy is restored in America and those in our own government that have attacked our American values are held accountable: Long after we – the people – have taken back our country for ourselves. You will be able to say – It started with netroots. You joined together and did more than talk about change. Together, you made it happen.
And on a personal note, let me say what a gift you have given my district and this nation by providing this platform, what a wonderful service you have provided my future constituents. You’ve given me a raging case of hope, and I cannot thank you enough for it.