Obama on 60 Minutes: Now, more than ever, is the time to fix our broken energy policy
Obama’s interview on 60 Minutes covered some essential topics, including his opinion on the proposed Detroit bailout, as well as energy independence. With respect to the latter, Obama noted that now, of all times, is when it is most important to do something about our energy problems.
Obama has indicated previously that he thinks a transformative change in our energy policy could not only help the environment and reduce our dependency on foreign oil, but it could also create an economic burst that would help us get out of our economic crisis.
As Obama indicated in the interview, the big test will be whether these necessary changes can be implemented when oil is under $60 a barrel, instead of over $150. Normally we would just fall right back into the same sick cycle we have followed the last 40 years of focusing on the problem when there is acute pain, only to quickly forget all about it when the pain temporarily subsides.
We think this could be the biggest test of whether Obama can actually break the old ways of doing things in our country and effect real and meaningful change.
Sounds pretty ambitious, but we’re on board.
Here is the relevant portion of the 60 Minutes interview:
Kroft: When the price of oil was at $147 a barrel, there were a lot of spirited and profitable discussions that were held on energy independence. Now you’ve got the price of oil under $60.
Mr. Obama: Right.
Kroft: Does doing something about energy is it less important now than…
Mr. Obama: It’s more important. It may be a little harder politically, but it’s more important.
Kroft: Why?
Mr. Obama: Well, because this has been our pattern. We go from shock to trance. You know, oil prices go up, gas prices at the pump go up, everybody goes into a flurry of activity. And then the prices go back down and suddenly we act like it’s not important, and we start, you know filling up our SUVs again.
And, as a consequence, we never make any progress. It’s part of the addiction, all right. That has to be broken. Now is the time to break it.
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