Instead of using our resources for positive, constructive endeavors we are using them for negative, destructive purposes such as these totally unjustified wars and the fabricated War on Terror. We are surrounded by shallow, negative thinkers at a time when we need positive, deep thinkers; we need problem solvers not problem creators; we need visionaries but we are stuck with politicians who have no concern or vision of the future. We need activists but, instead we have reactionaries and obstructionists.
America was once a role model for the world, using creativity and innovative thinking to achieve excellence in many varied endeavors. But when was the last time we as a nation did something that could be called revolutionary? Decades ago America's best minds created the calculator, the computer, put a man on the moon, and began space exploration. But since the birth and development of the internet what other major achievements have we seen? Nothing of any real significance. And, without question, the first 12 years of this 21st Century can accurately be referred to as America's lost decade; a low period in our history when nothing of any real value has taken place.
Let's be completely honest and admit that conditions in America are not only bad but they are, in fact, shameful. But what do we need to do to get out of this deep hole, this rut, this quagmire? What exactly should we be doing that what would represent a great achievement, something truly revolutionary? Is that some impossible dream? Absolutely not, in fact it's actually a no-brainer; that new revolutionary initiative is right there in front of our eyes even as this government and the business sector pretend that they can't see it.
It's the development of new sources of energy; for example, solar panels could capture the most powerful known source of energy -- the sun. It is there for the taking, it represents an infinite supply of energy for America and the entire world. Of course, developing its full potential would cost many billions of taxpayer dollars. But those billions would generate a great return on investment as contrasted to the hundreds of billions we are currently spending on war that returns nothing. The only way to harness that energy would be through the involvement of individuals that have the vision, creativity and drive leading to excellence. Capturing that energy would revolutionize the world and America could be at the forefront of the efforts.
Talk about a brilliant opportunity. If this government and the business sector teamed up to begin the development of new sources of energy it would signal the beginning of a new frontier, an energy revolution, a world shaking development. If America would use its resources in this positive way and make the development of new energy sources its #1 objective, it would lift America from its current lethargic state and transform it into a nation that would be standing on the cusp of one of the greatest achievements in world history. It would make NASA putting a man on the moon look like child's play; it would dwarf the development of the internet.
Here is what new sources of energy, solar, wind, geothermal and others could do to make this a better, safer, more stable world. Its main benefit would come from significantly reducing this nation's and the world's dependence on petroleum which, in turn, would eliminate a host of associated problems. Over a period of time it would eliminate the increasing competition for securing oil between the world's industrialized nations. It would greatly reduce the potential for dangerous military conflicts and confrontations. The U.S. Navy could significantly reduce the hundreds of billions of dollars it spends on patrolling the world's oceans and shipping lanes; the incidence of regional wars over oil would eventually come to an end.
But what else would it do for America domestically? Again, over a period of time, the use of solar power and other forms of alternate energy would lessen the need to use natural gas and, thereby, would negate the need for fracking and all the negative aspects and dangers that are associated with that method of extraction. The need for pipelines would be reduced and they would eventually disappear as there would be no need for the transmission of oil across America by such methods as the highly controversial 1700 mile Keystone XL pipeline that is intended to transport up to 800,000 barrels per day of heavy tar-like oil from Canada across America and down to refineries on the Gulf Coast.
If this government and the petroleum industry had a better vision and could clearly see America's needs for the future, they could reap huge benefits in many different ways. By thinking much more deeply they could follow a plan by which petroleum would remain the primary energy source for the U.S. for some years to come. But there would also be an aggressive program to develop new forms of energy that would, in the short term, complement petroleum and, then in the longer term, replace it. If they used rational and creative thinking, the profits of the giant petroleum corporations would be maintained and later would grow exponentially.
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