It's Not About Political Parties
Earlier this week I traveled to New York City to go on The View and talk about the Pickens Plan. Right out of the gate Whoopi Goldberg asked me was whether I was a Republican or a Democrat. My response to her question? "I'm an American first."
When you cut to the chase, that's the core message of the Pickens Plan. Ending our country's addiction to foreign oil isn't about being a Republican or about the Democratic Party. It's about America. It's about the future of our country. Is that a Republican issue? Is that a Democratic issue? In both cases the answer is yes, and the reason why is because securing our energy future is an American issue.
Last year, the money we spent on imported oil could have funded highway repairs in this country for the next seven years. Does that burn you up? It sure does me. Why on earth are we shipping half a trillion dollars overseas to a few friends and a lot of countries that don't like us when we could be building tens of thousands of schools right here in the United States? I'll tell you why: leadership.
For the last 40 years, each and every presidential candidate has said, "Elect me, and I'll make our country energy independent." All of us know how that story pans out. Back in the 1970s when Richard Nixon was president, we imported one-quarter of our oil. Today that percentage has almost tripled.
Since I launched the Pickens Plan last summer, I've met with citizens, senators, students, governors, and elected officials from coast to coast. I made a point of sitting down with both presidential candidates to explain the obstacles and the opportunities facing us and to pledge my support to ending this senseless outflow of American dollars. A lot of people have voiced support for developing our energy security, but one of the true leaders has been Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
That point was hammered home a few weeks ago when Sen. Reid hosted the National Clean Energy Project in Washington, which was sponsored John Podesta's Center for American Progress Action Fund. Who did the Senator invite? Republicans, Democrats, financial leaders, academics -- in a word, Americans. And for those of you with short memories, this event was not Sen. Reid's first energy summit. Last August in Las Vegas, he hosted the equally successful National Clean Energy Summit. Harry Reid gets it.
A lot of people feel more comfortable labeling Sen. Reid a lifelong Democrat and me a dyed-in-the-wool Republican. But as we've gotten to know each other better, it's become apparent that we have more in common than either of us could ever have imagined. His hometown in Nevada is a small town called Searchlight. I can tell you right now that the hardworking people where he grew up are just as incensed at our wasteful energy policy as my family and the friends who taught me so many important lessons growing up in Holdenville, Oklahoma. No matter where you are from or what your political party, being wasteful is not an American value. Spending hard-earned dollars at home, creating desperately needed jobs, investing in the infrastructure necessary to support our 21st century economy -- these are the sort of the values that Sen. Reid and I learned growing up. And I think they are some of the key reasons we've both been working so hard to get America to change its energy policy.
Tonight my work week wraps up in Los Angeles where I'll go on Bill Maher's HBO show. I'll do my best to make sure we spend more time looking at ways for America to end its addiction to foreign oil than discussing everyone's political affiliation.
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We all need to give TBP some credit. He is a businessman, 1st and foremost but at the root of his new venture is empathy for his fellow man and his progeny and theirs and so on etc. I have heard lots of very smarmy comments like he is old so he is now "sorry" for being an oil man - the lightest is that "he is investing in Natural Gas now as opposed to oil". And why is that a BAD thing ? People should be kissing their Lucky Shamrocks right now that he IS interested in saving the Planet instead of throwing him under the bus all the time. Why are we so darn cynical when we should be joining The Plan and getting our friends to join ? Why do we 1st throw all the mud we can ?shut up and Join!! I live in S Fla-was laid off last yr from my job of 10yrs I have 3 kids to take care of-I am seeking an office job in a Green environment - I want to retire from a position that pays my bills & gives me tremendous satisfaction every day because i am contributing to saving our world for our children & theirs. email me at belfiore3@yahoo.com if you know of anything, thanks
He has nothing to feel "sorry" about for being an oilman. It is an industry largley responsible for defeating the Axis powers,it has helped improve the American standard of living, has created millions of jobs and contributed greatly to the US Treasury through the payment of royalties to Uncle Sam. Industries such as oil and gas create a product sorely needed by our country although it is politically incorrect to actually produce a product that is not at least perceived to be "green" and ironic that the chemicals, fertilizers, fuels and other petroleum by products (like the plastics used to build the computer your typed on) make so many things possible while many those that enjoy the fruits of our efforts gripe the loudest.
Mr. Pickens,
Are you an American, or a capitalist first? Are you looking to improve our country, or the size of your wallet? Will you please explain your actions towards John Kerry? I'd also like to hear why you're buying up water rights in Texas. Aren't you simply trying to get the federal government to purchase the energy for your pumping stations to bring water (what you call the 'new oil') to Dallas?
Sincerely,
Wilburrr
Bill Maher was able to grill Pickens on the nasty crap he pulled on John Kerry. I think "Boonie" was expecting a "Larry King" type interview. Maher definitely made him uncomfortable. Good work!
Boone is trying. we always said that the real solutions would come when the market took over, well here it is.
I saw T. Boone Pickens on Bill Maher. Bill asked him why he voted for McCain when the mantra of the GOP convention was "Drill Baby Drill". I didn't hear a good answer. He can talk about it not being about politics, yet it is about politics. You have an oil man in the WH for 12 of the last 20 years and you don't move forward on alternative energy. If McCain had made it to the WH we wouldn't have moved forward to the degree Obama will. Yet, he supported the man whose convention was all about drilling. Go figure.
Good point loria.
Even though I agree with Mr. Pickens on "what he says" about energy independence. However, when a repug gets in the White House the Repugnant Party is running the country according to repug policies and we've all learned what they're all about.
Mr. Pickens, I thank you for your sincere efforts on behalf of your nation, but you are wrong when you say it is not about political parties.
A truer statement would be that it should not be about political parties. Unfortuneately, it is, and now that the Dems are more or less in control of the government, I expect some meaningful progress to be made. It is good to know that Mr. Pickens will be on board.
Right. It's about the natural gas. At least that what all your commercials seem to indicate.
But thanks for making it sound like it's about actual alternative energy.
What have you done for our economy?
What has "he" done for our economy? Over the years he has created a hell of a lot of jobs and paid a hell of a lot of taxes. Now he has a ligitimate plan to help us get off of imported crude by replacing curde with natural gas as a vehicle fuel and by creating a real impactive wind generated electrical supply.
Now what have you done?
That is why solar power is the way to go. Wind power is ok for a few situations but solar should be promoted. My advice to you is to invest your money in solar.
Americans want more than change. They want elected officials (note I DID NOT SAY politicians) to do what will keep this country healthy and secure. When did not funding day-to-day government business provide such condition, Mr. Gingrich, Mr. Rove, Mr. Delay, and Mr. Limbaugh? Why does our "watchdog" 4th Estate think spewing their special interest diatribe will support America's condition. Mr. Pickens, can no one control these vicious members of your party and (1) keep them on point for securing our country's future (2)our countrymen and women's health and (3)working toward the common good? Sir, if you and your people cannot control those men and their ilk, the outcome might not be pretty or safe. Americans are an understanding group by nature; but their patience is not limitless. Ask the English. Working against the best interests of this nation is punishable by the law of the land and should be.
In an affront to “free market” thinking there are times when the nation must go beyond the slavish worship of capitalism for the greater good. This is one of those times. The delay in producing wind power on a large scale is primarily economic. If natural gas is much cheaper there is no incentive for wind power. This is where the Government needs to step in and change the dynamics of the market. No mandates or regulations are required. It is actually quite simple. Tax gas used for electricity production at a rate to make wind power economically viable. Tax gasoline and diesel used for automobiles while not taxing gas and biofuels. This will promote the use of alternative and domestically produced energy. Natural gas produces half the co2 as gasoline and wind produces none.
The monies derived from a gasoline tax must be designated for specific uses not thrown into the honey pot. From tax credits for individuals for solar panels and small wind turbines to the infrastructure to carry wind energy to consumers these monies must be used for freeing us from foreign oil not political pork.
The “Pickens Plan” is an effort to bridge the gap from petroleum to non-polluting renewable energy. It just needs a hand to get started. The steps proposed here would raise the cost of energy in the short term but by targeting specific uses everyone would receive its dividends.
Unholy alliance suggestion duly noted.
Mr. Pickens, if you really want to lead then be a good leader in the fashion that parallels the better conservative traditions of your land. Here is my suggestion: make an example of Andrew Carnegie. In this troubling day, challenge leaders from the right to give generously to foundations that inspire resourcefulness throughout. Don't brag, but make sure people are watching. Don't look at the other side from across the room. Turn over a new leaf, today. Don't simply suggest change is possible. Become the change.
Mr. Pickens' history would show he is more concerned with lining the pockets of T. Boone Pickens than in helping "green " America's energy sources and uses. but God bless his little pea pickin heart anyway
Mr. P. --
As a student of history, I must disagree with your initial position -- that political parties don't matter -- in the realm of business decisions. Even the most cursory examination of American history proves otherwise -- politics and business are intrinsically linked together in our society (unfortunately).
I'll give you credit for trying to undo some of the damage that the business culture in this country cultivated and encouraged -- specifically, holding people and their communities "hostage" in order to exact generous tax breaks in exchange for building factories or locating businesses in certain places -- therby shifting the tax burden away from business and onto the backs of its laborers. At least you're trying to "make right" with your maker before your time runs out, and do the right thing.
Too bad the focus isn't on teaching the proper business ethics in the first place, isn't it? Maybe we wouldn't be in this mess . . .
I believe it has more to do with the model of capitalism - which has taken the place of government as a power source.
It is 'free' trade versus 'fair' trade.
It is owner versus worker.
It is an outdated model trying to reinvent its wheel, when it should be focusing on its wings.
Capitalism is an economy MODEL.
Not a form of government.
Change is inevitable.
Growth is optional.
I prefer co-ops myself.
"...A lot of people feel more comfortable labeling Sen. Reid a lifelong Democrat and me a dyed-in-the-wool Republican. But as we've gotten to know each other better, it's become apparent that we have more in common than either of us could ever have imagined...."
Like your standard American diet? S.A.D.
Sustainability for each home, building. None of these old dyed in the wool real estate deals that centralize power, that is 'ol school dysfunctional corruption disguised as shrewd business.
Remember our new key words: Sustainability, Accountability, Transparency.
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