Alternatives

Typically, I am not in favor of alternatives (you know, like alternative lifestyles). There is one exception; Alternative energy. I am for them. I think they're great. I do have a couple of problems with them (otherwise it just wouldn't be me).

First off, they really aren't available, at least not at a price the average American can afford. You can talk about wind, solar, hydrogen etc. until you are blue in the face, but until there is a decent, affordable way to harness the energy it isn't going to fly.

Second, and this is probably bigger than the first point, let's say that someone comes up with a car that runs on tap water (or whatever). Is everyone supposed to trade in their current vehicles for the wonder car? Number one, very few of us would be able to afford it. New technology usually comes out of the box at a hefty price tag. Number two, even if the every day Joe could afford it, the manufacturer couldn't keep up.

I think we should be doing everything, looking into anything that makes us energy independent. I believe that it is vital to our national security to do so. We are paying $700 billion dollars annually for our oil, mostly to countries don't like us too much, but love our money. While we are looking at all of the possibilities for the future, we need to drill here, drill now and pay less. It is absurd that we beg the sheiks for more supply, but won't drill on our own land. I would urge everyone to sign the petition at the linked website and let your voice be heard. More than 70% of Americans support drilling domestically. It is time we put both houses of congress on notice and remind them that they work for us and that we can take away their power just as fast as we gave it to them.