[HarryCaul]

It could help, but really not very substantially.

Really, the only long term solution to our dependency on foreign sources of energy is to develop non-fossil fuel sources. As dirty as the phrase "alternative energy" is to many conservatives, it's a basic national security issue. We *have* to pull away from this dependency on nations that don't like us, and while ANWR would help, it's not a solution in itself by any means.

[sgtbono2002]

The Phrase Alternative Energy is not dirty at all to Conservatives, Produce Alternative energy at a cost we can afford and we will all stand in line. But it simply isnt there and wont be any time soon. So for now we use what we have.

[Dr. Frank fan]

It could help, but really not very substantially.

Because.....?

Really, the only long term solution to our dependency on foreign sources of energy is to develop non-fossil fuel sources.

Go ahead, be my guest. Meanwhile my car takes gas. Gas comes from oil. Our nation contains much land under which is oil, that we're not getting. Can you explain why not?

We *have* to pull away from this dependency on nations that don't like us

Right. That's what we're trying to do. They're our primary supplier, yet we have supplies in our own backyard, which we're not getting for some reason. Yet so I suggest we actually *get* that stuff from our backyard (so we don't have to get it from their monopoly) and people like you say "no, that's not gonna work". ????

while ANWR would help, it's not a solution in itself by any means.

Who's claiming it's a "solution by itself"? Call it a step in the right direction. I hope you're not arguing we shouldn't take that step because it's not a "solution by itself".

[CollegeRepublican]

Really, the only long term solution to our dependency on foreign sources of energy is to develop non-fossil fuel sources. As dirty as the phrase "alternative energy" is to many conservatives, it's a basic national security issue. We *have* to pull away from this dependency on nations that don't like us, and while ANWR would help, it's not a solution in itself by any means.

Bingo. You are exactly right.

[RedMonqey]

We will abandon petroleum as an energy source ONLY when another source is:

1. Economical to produce
2. Equal to or more reliable than oil.
3. Simple enough for the average person to operate and a safely.
4. Produces as much horsepower as does the internal combustion engine

None of the alternative energy supplies can match/surpasse oil in these characteristics.


Until then, short of putting a gun to the consumer's head, we will continue to use oil.