Should energy independence be a high priority in the US?

Yes

6 of 34

by James Dreamer

• 

Write now Print Invite a writer™ Add to Favorites RSS Feed Contact this writer

Should Energy Independence be a High Priority in the US?

Why do we have an Independence Day in the US? It celebrates our independence from other entities. At the time it was Great Britain. We did not want to be governed by them and were willing to go to war to prove it. The United States was founded on the principles of doing for ourselves, taking care of ourselves, and being ruled by ourselves. This is essentially the definition of independence.

Over the last several decades, we have slowly built up a dependence on foreign sources to fulfill many of our needs. Look at how much of the merchandise we buy today is made elsewhere. Our largest foreign dependency is energy. How much of our Gross National Product leaves our country in exchange for oil to drive our society? Our transportation system, manufacturing sector, and even heat for many of our homes is subjective to this flow of oil.

Any time you depend on an entity other than yourself for a necessity, you allow them control over you. And the more you depend on them, the more control they have. When the relationship is stable, it is easy to let things slide and allow the dependence to increase, but when the affiliation becomes unstable, that foreign entity can have a huge effect on your well being.

This is what is happening now. We have allowed ourselves the luxury of depending on other countries to supply us with so much of our energy that we have given up a great deal of control over our economy. Our own government has lost some of its influence over the well being of its citizens and has given it up to foreign powers. It is only now when things are difficult for us that we can see this for the mistake that it was.

How can we correct this mistake? The only way is to seek the same thing our forefathers sought when they came to America. Independence. Even though it is difficult, we must work very hard to develop energy sources which can be produced here in our own country. It is the only way for us to regain control of our destiny.

As to what that energy source is I do not know. I believe the final answer has not been developed yet. Ethanol has many drawbacks. You can see how it has affected food prices. Wind power only produces energy when the wind blows, and the cost of equipment and maintenance is a deterrent. Solar power has yet to become practical on a commercial scale without government subsidy.

Still, wherever there is a problem there is a solution. The answer may be being developed somewhere in a lab even as you are reading this. Maybe it hasn't even been conceived of yet. But it is out there, and sooner or later, I believe we will find it. This is not the first time our country has had to solve the big equations.

I believe the most valuable resource America has is its people. We are an inventive bunch. If you don't believe me, check the patent office. One or more of the inventions we devise and develop will solve our energy problem. We just don't know how soon it will happen.

Learn more about this author, James Dreamer.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.