Equally vital, however... we, the citizenry, must perform our own contributions as individuals and as communities. To help the country alleviate itself from its addiction to mindless consumption, we must be open to a refined discipline on energy conservation, and address more the use of renewable energy with earnest objectivity. Simple activities as walking or bicycling to shorter distances rather than driving, increasing the conscientious utility of public transportation options, becoming even more dedicated in our recycling efforts, applying the benefits of energy related advances in technology... indeed, the ways can be so elementary and varied. A new social awareness may seem insignificant singularly, but collectively as a nation, the results can be ground-breaking.
As a nation, we are most responsible for finding ourselves overly dependent on foreign energy sources. Therefore, first... the country must wean itself from energy cost subsidies. Allowing prices to float along real world levels, will no doubt leave us no choice but seek not only energy related innovations, breed radical energy efficient transportation systems, but could also welcome us to creatively greener communities and healthier lifestyles. Domestic oil production meanwhile, should be revitalized and tapped as the primary source in satisfying our country's military reserve requirements. After all, solar and wind power are options that can not be brought to battle. Not yet, anyway. A U.S. energy independent economy, along with our allies, can only eventually serve notice effectively to world suppliers that they can no longer rely on remaining single-commodity type economies. In turn, their needs to then diversify their own economies will no doubt imply upon them as well... the need for significant international cooperation. As oil loses its economic and political clout, the world's oil cartels and especially the few rogue member nations... will discover loss of leverage in their lingering disregard to international calls for human right reforms, a need if they are to earn rightful membership to a global community of nations co-existing in prosperity and peace.
Independent economic strength has always been America's most effective defense, history writes. More than any other country, we remain aplenty with resources, infra-structure and human resolve. There is not a speck of doubt that our fortitude will once again allow us to overcome our economic crisis, specially that now as a nation... we hopefully have re-discovered humility, and a renewed sense of responsibility. As most post-election comments indicate, and the world over favorably acknowledge, "We did America right!". Now, our actions on the challenge... steps upon steps.
A relevant article... http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/11/10/what.matters.niger/index.html#cnnSTCText
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