"Change" President Not Pressing for Change

Submitted by Anne Landman on

Obama change we can believe inIn President Obama's speech from his desk the Oval Office on June 15, he tried to buck up an American public beleaguered by BP's oil disaster in the Gulf. He blamed BP for the debacle, called their safety practices "reckless" and promised to make company pay for the damage their activities have caused. While Obama blamed the right people, he should be aiming for a higher goal. He needs to push American citizens to embark on an entirely new approach to energy. Obama has frequently spoken of introducing new energy policies. He has mentioned the subject in close to a third of his speeches, but when discussing it he chooses well-known, vague, poll-tested rhetoric. In his June 15 speech, for example, he failed to promote a carbon dioxide tax, propose solid goals for the percentage of renewable energies used in the U.S., or provide details about any potential climate legislation. He avoids using the phrase "climate change" because he knows many citizens have a problem with it. But the real reason why BP and other companies are drilling at such fantastic ocean depths is that they are servicing America's greed for cheap energy to fuel 250 million cars, keep our air conditioners running and create fantasy cities in the middle of deserts. Shortly before BP's catastrophe in the Gulf, Obama even loosened regulations for coastal drilling. Americans constitute about five percent of the world's population, but consume 25 percent of the world's oil. Obama's speech was a lost an opportunity to push Americans to rethink their approach to oil. Instead, he preferred to stay vague and avoid charting a clear course to guide America out of its energy problem.

Main Source: 
Spiegel Online International, June 29, 2010
Topics: 
Energy
Environment
U.S. Government

Comments

Derek02 replied on

I think you bring up a good point that President Obama needs to move the country in a more energy efficient direction. However, don't you think the burden lies more with Congress than the President? Presidential agendas are not always aligned with the need and wants of the country - the people need to decide that they are ready for energy dependency to end...

Maki replied on

Disasters like the Gulf spill can't ever happen again. I think if we would focus more on drilling on land versus in the ocean, it would be much easier to deal with. An oil gusher on land can be contained much easier than in the ocean.

Anonymous replied on

I am becoming further and further detached from the Yes We Can optimism of Obama's campaign. I had hoped that Obama might be less swayed by industry and political corruption. I understand he's walking a political tight rope. But, we need to be firm and clear in our resolve to break the oil addiction. I don't see his leadership on this issue. I see political cowardice.

Leo Smith replied on

Solutions must have been offered. We also can give advice or support. Americans should unite and find a solution.

tkimball replied on

Of course BP is to blame. Why talk about changing energy policies during discussion about a disaster? While switching to green technology is a great goal to work towards when there are thousands of families out of work and worried about the oceans and it's not the time to push an agenda. I think he is doing a good job finding those to blame but there is little the government can do with this disaster, we aren't equipped for this.

I do hope it changes our policies on how to handle oil spills and hopefully develop a technology for plugging a broken well.

Anonymous replied on

Get Costner and his technology that he's been investing in for 13 years. Why aren't they giving it shot?

ckmguy replied on

People have to stop waiting for pols to lead them to the future. You must take action yourself, whatever your cause. I am all for alternative energy sources, I have jatropha growing in my front yard; however, the status quo will only change when it makes economic sense.

elvanaowl replied on

Every new president makes promises to change, but how many of them relly made some thing? However, we can not say that he is not pressing, its not a long time yet, we need to give every one a chance to keep their promises

Anonymous replied on

Politicians are just that. I wonder if we often hold the imaginary hope that institution can produce anything other than what it proves to produce time and again. Such a volume of people and interests to speak to.

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