Published: June 29, 2008 12:06 am            

We need grown up leadership

When I was a boy we had a saying with respect to a job that had to be done. “Lead, follow, or get the &*?@ out of the way.” We all recognized that task A, B, C, and D needed to be accomplished to get a job done. In our case with respect to our energy needs we need to recognize that our economy runs on fossil fuels. A — we need to drill all available sources (on and offshore), B – we need to develop and expand coal production, C – we need to construct new nuclear power plants, D – we need to remove all blocks to the expansion of new refinery construction.

It is very apparent that for some time we have had inadequate leadership in this matter. Our leaders have a mantra, we can’t drill, we can’t develop new coal, we can’t develop new Nuclear power plants, and we can’t build new refineries. Can’t, can’t, can’t. I don’t know about the rest of you but my mother discouraged the word can’t.

Praise God that when the Japanese attacked this country in 1941 our politicians didn’t say we can’t respond. Instead the “greatest generation” invented, developed and produced a war machine capable of defeating all enemies in 4-1/2 years. Don’t tell me we can’t.

Our current congressional leadership espouses the “we can’t” mantra. They say, conserve and develop alternatives. Well, news break, it ain’t working. This will be apparent next time you’re at the gas pump. In our current presidential race the Republican candidate is leaning in the right direction with respect to energy policy. The Democratic candidate, according to his website, is leaning in the direction of cap and trade, invest in clean energy, invest in biofuels, improve energy efficiency, and leadership in climate change. These have been the predominant polices of the last decade and as I’m sure you noticed the last time you filled up at the pump, they ain’t working. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

People, the “cow's in the ditch” we must do something now. Political correctness and bipartisanship need to be expediently placed in the trash can. Our leaders need to bring oil, coal, and nuclear executives to meetings before congress and instead of being grilled, blamed, and condemned, they need to hear from congress, “What do we need to do to get out of your way?”

We need leadership now, not a congress that is currently debating meaningless matters. I examined the last entry to the congressional record. They began their last session with a prayer and a pledge of allegiance, who new? The House of Representatives last resolution, H. CON. RES. 379, was a very wordy way to say, “We adjourn.”

Is this leadership in a time of crises? We need to send adults to Washington, D.C.



Gregory R. Miller, PE

Meridian

        

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