The Pink Flamingo :: Conservatives Need to Quit Complaining about John McCain’s Energy Policies

I’m trying to remember an old saying about those who can’t complain and those who do just get out and do. It makes me wonder about conservatives who don’t like John McCain’s energy policies. Maybe they should just shut up about it already yet and go out there, roll up their sleeves, and figure a way out of this mess. Or – can they. I have this bad feeling all they can do is complain, because they’re impotent to come up with any real rational solution.

John McCain is being hounded by conservatives who are angry because he does not want to drill for oil in ANWAR (it’s all about keeping the world safe for the polar bears, right). He doesn’t want to drill there or in the Grand Canyon. I agree. I also agree for the same reason – let’s keep something pristine.

What is wrong with wanting to keep some things nice, descent, and beautiful? Is that liberal? Is that something to cause a Republican or anyone to be damned? Or are we simply dealing with the “pure” test again. I’ve been heckling my friend Lisa, who has been sending ‘green’ messages on Facebook. When did you become a tree-huger I asked. Her reply, “I am a steward of the land”. She comes from a large ranching background, as well as impeccable GOP credentials. She made me think.

Funny, but I always thought my Grandfather Froehlich was the perfect example of what a Republican should be. He and my grandmother had their framed Inaugural invitations. The Christmas cards were framed. Their homes in FL, SC, NC all held coffee table books about the Reagans. There were magazines. There were letters, cards, copies of First Monday. They donated to the max, constantly.

My grandfather, like all ranchers and dairymen was what Lisa would call a Steward of the Land. It had nothing to do with being eco-friendly, and everything to do with protecting his investment. He was constantly planting trees, cutting timber, thinning groves of trees to improve the lot of those remaining. He worked on the springs on his mountain property, repairing, fixing, making them better. He worked on run-off, erosion, and protected the soil. He built dykes. He stabilized pasture land. And – he was on the state commission to preserve the Everglades. Back in the mid-1980’s he predicted the problems we are having today. He came up with a list of solutions. Instead of having his solutions adopted, he was removed from the commission as being old, senile, and out of touch. Unfortunately, he was right.

There is nothing wrong with trying to maintain our natural treasures the same way there is nothing wrong with releasing dangerous toxins into the air, land or water? Why is there an explosion in cases of autism? What about cancer? Is there anything wrong with asking these questions and not being declared a tree-hugging liberal?

What if there is a better way?

Maybe these extreme prices for oil is just what we need. Last week I was listening to John McCain. He brought up the fact that the big oil companies had not actively investing in nor exploring alternative energy sources. He will probably be lambasted for that statement, also. But, why not pursue alternative energy ideas?

There are tales about the energy companies buying out the back-yard inventor’s energy saving creations. If I’d not met one of these guys in college, I’d think we were just dealing with conspiracy tales. This guy created some sort of perpetual motion energy. He took the millions he was paid never to disclose his idea and invested them in unknown companies called Apple and Microsoft. He’s never worked a day in his life. It’s a shame, the guy was a genius.

There is a better way. During World War II an alternative for rubber was invented for tires. Instead of harassing politicians who are demanding this better way be sought, we need to get behind them. Think of the economic opportunities.

Did you know you can put a wind powered device up somewhere and run the “current” into some thingie (I’m getting extremely technical here) and end up forcing your power company to credit your account? There’s some other thingie you can do to your vehicles and use spent cooking oil in them. This nation is known for its inventiveness. I wonder what is going to come out of these high prices.

Maybe it’s time we thumbed our noses at big oil and started showing that inventiveness. Remember when Apple and Microsoft were just infants. Think of the stock options and all those millionaires created out of that stock. I have no intention of giving up my SUV unless it is for some cute, hot, little sports number. Someone had better go out and invent something to keep my vehicle powered. I sure can’t do it. But I can sure write about it!