That's good Tim, your not a fool on this issue.

What is the discussion? You would like to wean consumers off oil? You are exploring ideas for future energy options? You are directly promoting natural gas? You are concerned about energy monopolies?

There is so much to discuss, where would you care to begin?

www.eia.gov/totalenergy

Sift through the total energy consumption charts. The Pickens Plan makes sense, especially for light duty natural gas vehicles.

Years ago before the housing bubble burst I was selling radio advertising for a top rated FM radio station. One of my advertisers owned an Outdoor Woodburning Furnace company. His target customers lived in rural areas. The tag that he created was the most memorable. "Burn American Wood, not foreign oil." It spoke of his patriotism and concern for this country, along with being a smart marketer.

The economy matters, Unemployment matter, I'm just trying to voice a lone opinion. For those on the lower portion of the economic zone what puts more money in your pocket cheaper gas or higher taxes? From an American perspective, why not work towards energy independance?

http://www.ngvc.org/about_ngv/index.html

The U.S. currently ranks 17th in the world with less than 1% of total NGVs. However, North America is expected to see some of the fastest growth due to abundant proven reserves and the low cost of domestically produced natural gas.

According to the Gas Vehicle Report, these are the top ten countries.

Country Number of Vehicles % of Total NGVs Worldwide
Iran 2,859,386 18.82%
Pakistan 2,850,500 18.76%
Argentina 1,900,000 12.50%
Brazil 1,694,278 11.15%
India 1,100,000 7.24%
China 1,000,000 6.58%
Italy 779,090 5.13%
Ukraine 390,000 2.57%
Columbia 348,747 2.30%
Thailand 300,581 1.98%

Iran is the worlds leader in oil production. Why are they also the worlds leader in percentage of Natural gas vehicles?

Every time there is tension on the strait of Hormuz what happens? Exactly, oil scare!

Lastly - Wind, Solar, Water energy all needs proper funding as well. If you support proper funding for pensions the you'll support a responsible and practical pro energy policy!

A side point. As each vehicle in a town is retired it should be replaced with a vehicle that does not run on gasoline. Cities, towns and states could decide what alternative energy they want to use.

We are currently importing over 60% of our oil from Opec nations. Considering that the United States has been a nation at war since 2003 (officially), if there is a plan then it hasn't been implemented.

http://www.pickensplan.com/theplan2/china/

According to the Pickens Plan China has an Opec energy sollution but we don't. Natural Gas makes sense and can provide a necessary bridge fuel for our Heavy Duty vehicles (they transport our good across the nation.)

Wow, Tim, you've really read up on this, I'm impressed!