He said the goal of producing all of the nation’s electricity from “renewable energy and truly clean, carbon-free sources” within 10 years is not some farfetched vision, although he said it would require fundamental changes in political thinking and personal expectations.
“This goal is achievable, affordable and transformative,” Mr. Gore said in his remarks at the conference. “It represents a challenge to all Americans, in every walk of life — to our political leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, engineers, and to every citizen.” ... New York Times ...
Personal expectations? Americans? Trouble is, Mr. Vice President, that too many Americans' expectations derive from what is appetizing to them. A few columns away in the same New York Times is a report, with readers' comments, about a national speed limit to save fuel. Not a chance. Read the comments and you'll find that many believe it's every American's right to drive when, where, and how s/he pleases, at whatever cost to the environment and the economy. You know: fuck any changes that require moi to make changes or that are personally inconvenient to moi.
Absolutely not!!! Any politician with that idea had better not plan on staying on the job much longer.
It's a terrible idea that's completely at odds with the concept of individual freedom that America is allegedly all about. It's an idea based upon the same phony argument that communism is based upon --- if everybody has to do a certain something that somehow makes it "fair" to all concerned. Jeez! If Americans had that attitude back in 1776 we'd still be singing "God Save the Queen."
Ridiculous. The time lost to people outweighs even the high gas prices.
Not every commenter agreed with these folks. Some thought it was a good idea. Like this guy.
Driving 55 would decrease US oil consumption immediately it would send a signal to the world that the US is serious about breaking its addiction to oil. This might have an impact on the price of a barrel of oil - certainly a much cheaper and more immediate impact than opening the coasts or the ANWR area to drilling.
Makes a lot of sense. However, he was writing from Amsterdam.
