freeSpeech: Barack Obama

Senator Speaks Out About America's Oil Addiction

(CBS)  Sometimes it seems like energy policy is only discussed when gas prices are up and elections are looming. But America's oil addiction doesn't go away when prices come down and the polls close.

There are few issues besides energy that combine so many of the challenges we face today.

When Ford lays off thousands of workers, it's because they can't compete with foreign companies that are making more fuel-efficient cars.

When we hear about rising global temperatures, it's because the fossil fuels we burn are damaging our climate. And when we wonder why the U.S. is so involved in the Middle East, it's because we need their oil.

We don't have to settle for this future.

We should replace more of the oil we use with alternative fuels like ethanol, and we can even make a deal with our auto companies. If they make more fuel-efficient cars, the government will help them pay for their retiree health care costs.

The point is, the ideas on energy are out there. But we need the leadership to make it happen. And now is the time to make your voice heard, not only this November, but in all the days that follow.

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Sen. Barack Obama, D.-Il., was sworn into office Jan. 4, 2005. Sen. Obama is focused on promoting economic growth and bringing good paying jobs to Illinois. He serves on the important Environment and Public Works Committee, which oversees legislation and funding for the environment and public works projects throughout the country, including the national transportation bill.

During his seven years in the Illinois state Senate, Obama worked with both Democrats and Republicans to help working families get ahead by creating programs like the state Earned Income Tax Credit, which in three years provided more than $100 million in tax cuts to families across the state.

Barack Obama was born on Aug. 4, 1961, in Hawaii to Barack Obama Sr. and Ann Dunham. Obama graduated from Columbia University in 1983, and moved to Chicago in 1985 to work for a church-based group seeking to improve living conditions in poor neighborhoods plagued with crime and high unemployment. In 1991, Obama graduated from Harvard Law School, where he was the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review.

[lonnie461]

Another of SEVERAL free commercials for the liberals in past two weeks. First, we have to listen to OPINION of Schieffer disguised as "news reporting." Then we listen to the top liberal Democrat under "free speech." Why doesn't Communist Broadcast System just hang a shingle around everybody's neck. At least that would be honest. Couric has made a joke of the word "news." Thank God that letters to the sponsors are starting to be heard. Everyone is noticing the loss of listeners since her and CBS blatant following of Rather's biased approach. Only a matter of time till the complete proof, like Rather, will become public and then CBS will have a washover and continue.

[michaelz06]

You just have to wonder why some people can't come up with anything intelligent to say, and instead simply resort to inane blasts at the "liberals". The "liberals" are not the only ones who have spoken about the need for this country to seek alternatives to its dependence on foreign oil, notably that which is to be found in the Middle East. If Lonnie461 has a reasonable idea on how to solve the problem discussed, perhaps he would care to share, instead of merely demonstrating the polarization that results in more of the same...

[frankly6]

Can you discuss the issues raised here lonnie? Would you like to adress facts? If so, do your homework....you know read something fact based....and come back with something intelligent to contribute. All I hear is this us and them stuff. Yawnnnnn.....

[pmatylonek]

Barack Obama has been living the way he said he would a few years back. He is a uniter rather than a divider. I only wish that the right wing of the republican party cease their hateful ways, and listen to reason from wherever it comes from. Once, I heard a conservative guy say that he doesn't care to nurture our environment, planet and conserve resources that God gave us because "in the Bible it says that the world is coming to an end" anyway. Isn't it unbelievable that someone would say such a thing? Whatever church this guy belonged to completely neutralized intelligent thought!

[kailumego1]

Mr. Obama you are right on target, it's too bad, those hynotized by "REPUBLICANISM" are too blind and dumb to comprehend. If you speak against this administration, oh, "my God", you have to be a communist liberal.
And what's really inane is the constant bickery over the Republican rhetoric, in which, we all know the war in Iraq is over who controls the "oil".
Even those who support the Democratic party have enough sense to recognize and acknowledge when they've being given the "run-around", or fed a line of b#*@#.

[borntwice-2009]

Matthew 7: 7-8 Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Jesus tells us to persist in pursuing God. People often give up after a few halfhearted efforts and conclude that God cannot be found. But knowing God takes faith, focus, and follow-through, and Jesus assures us that we will be rewarded. Don't give up in your efforts to seek God. Continue to ask him for more knowledge, paiience, wisdom, love, and understanding. He will give them to you.

[frankly6]

Thanks borntwice for the daily dose of bible quotes. Quite inspiring. Now that we've been saved, do you have anything to contribute about the topic at hand?

[jimc52]

You know, it never fails to amaze me how politicians can glibly face us and call it an "energy addiction to oil." What OTHER alternative do we have? Every time someone mentions hydrogen, they throw up the "Hindenburg" as the excuse. Do we turn every farm from Pennsylvania to Nebraska into corn farms to make ethanol? What about FOOD to eat? It's not like I have had a choice Mr. Obama. It's the government and industry that has stalled and evaded the issue to alternative fuels. Don't make it sound like I or the people have the personal addiction to oil...that is what has been available and so we buy it. I suppose you think we ought to go back to riding horses and buggies or take a bicycle to work.
Instead of mouthing platitudes at the public, get busy and make something ELSE happen. That is why you were put in Congress Senator. It really burns me that you make it sound like "OUR" addiction!

[jimc52]

The second comment I take exception to are about how Ford cannot compete. It is due to your sacred cow, namely: unfettered free trade and internationalism. The word tariff is a dirty word. Most other countries, despite the international showmanship, have protected economies where unfair trade competition is regulated or outlawed. Only is the US a postitute when it comes to trade. If you don't want Ford to lay people off, write the tariffs that keep one thousand unecessary car brands OUT of the US. Oh no! You wouldn't dare! That would be unfair to some foreign interest, right? Tell the G10 to take a hike. Get rid of
NAFTA. Hammer the EU. You politicians don't have the guts to do it.

[michaelz06]

Thank you Frankly6, couldn't have said it better. Makes me wonder how many other places borntwice spouts this stuff, instead of adding something useful....jiminoregon makes some good points. What I have been wondering is when someone would point out that every rise in gasoline proces comes accompanied with a blurb somewhere in the news about record oil company profits. Doesn't anyone else notice this pattern?