Saturday, July 23, 2011

The End Before the Beginning

By Justin
Every good Presidential candidate hopes their vision of the future catches fire and propels them to greatness.  Some write books.  Some spend all their time in New Hampshire.  Some just have the right last name.  Sadly, these things never occurred.

So I am withdrawing from my fake presidential run.  It seems, like Newt, I failed to 'ignite the base' or 'reach for the middle'.  Now some will say that Energy and National Defense weren't really the best topics to start with, if debate and fire is what I sought.  They might be right, but in my political world if you can't get fired up over a good "clean coal" debate, then we really shouldn't discuss civil rights and the role of faith in society.  

So go back to CNN and listen to the hours and hours of nonsense and talking heads who have neither the ability to affect change nor the real answer, just a hypothetical of what might occur should something else occur in Congress.  

And for the record: in the short term the end of the world and the value of the American dollar will NOT disappear on August 2, should we have a fictitious 'default' on our debt.  Besides August 2nd was an estimate made by a political appointee, the Treasury Secretary.  And the same department gets to decide if we don't pay our debt or don't pay our electric bills or don't pay Congress.  So saying we default on our debt is saying it is our only payment due, which we all can attest, is not the case.  So lets stop the nonstop stupidity on CNN, pick a few things we shouldn't be paying for anyway...and get a deal done that really does put the good ole USA in better hands going forward.

Friday, July 08, 2011

Platform Discussion: Energy Policy

- 89% of USA energy consumption is from non-renewable sources (DOE)
- 41% of consumption is by residential users, 30% industrial, 29% transportation (DOE)
- The USA is the number one energy consumer in the world using 21%, China is next at 16% then Russia at 6%

It is easy and trendy to talk about energy policy when gas is $4 a gallon and we are fighting a war with the an oil exporter.  It is less so when gas is $2 and CNN's lead story is Justin Bieber.  The reality is there is not a single quick solution to the issue.  Just like most major issues it is going to take decisive decision-making to free our self in the future. So a few planks to the platform.

1. Expand the use of nuclear power.  Nuclear power made up only 11% of production in 2010 behind Coal, Oil and Gas.  It is safe and unmatched with regard to output vs. impact vs. left overs.  Yes the waste will outlive our kid's, kid's, kids.  But this waste pales in comparison to the gains made by the zero carbon footprint.  

I do not believe in clean coal.  I believe domestic natural gas and oil discovery has reached its peak.  I know the mining industry supports an entire section of our grand union's economy; however, we must work to lesson our dependence not just on 'foreign oil' but on all forms of nonrenewable energy.  While nuclear is nonrenewable, it is long term sustainable.

2. Invest in renewable energies.  Wind, wave and solar technologies need substantial government based investments to refine and make plausible in the near term future.  We should redirect some of the governments research in the sexual habits of men in Russia and Appalachian fruits towards solving the issues on generation, storage and delivery of these renewable energies.  It is easy to say that the government should get out of the way and let the private industry take the lead; however, the major players in the private industry have invested trillions of dollars into oil and gas exploration, delivery and refinement systems.  There is no motivation to advance renewable energies at an accelerated pace. 

3. Increase the gas tax by 25¢.  This money should be directed to help offset the startup costs of new nuclear power plants and the investments in research.  Easy as that.  A new agency should NOT be created to manage this money.  Throw it in with the Department of Energy grants and the oversight already created therein. 

4. We should carefully exploit domestic energy reserves.  We should be prepared for the possibilities that a 'friend' in the middle east is no longer a friend.  While they need us to purchase their oil to fund their regimes, it can get into difficult politics should they decide to no longer sell us their oil.  During this interim period of building nuclear plants and increase in research, we should complete careful exploration of domestic off shore drilling, Alaskan drilling, gas reserve locating and drilling in addition to continue refinement of the coal burning processes.  Additional consideration should be taken to determine the stock piling of these precious limited resources for use or sale in the long-term future (100+ years) could provide our nation with a strategic advantage.  As the amount of available resources diminished, the one holding the most reserves will be the one holding the trump card.  We, as a nation, do not want to be on the wrong end of that equation.  

A well rounded energy policy with clear direction is lacking in the nation.  With each change of President and/or party holding the office a new set of thoughts comes into being.  The result has been a policy toss around like a dingy in the ocean.  A clear, defined and well funded energy policy is a must.

Monday, July 04, 2011

Platform Discussion: National Defense

By Justin

The concept of national defense is tricky.  There is the notion of 'homeland defense' and the traditional concept of 'defending freedom'.  For this posting, we will tackle the traditional defending freedom.  I think we should start with a few facts.  As best that can be determined with little true research I turned to wikipedia.  The USA spent 687 billion dollars in 2010 in 'military expenditures'.  China is the next closes in expenditures at 114 billion.

So for 2010, the USA spent 6 times as much as the next 'superpower' in the world.  In fact, it takes the top 20 countries in the world to equal the spending by the USA on 'military expenditures'.  The fact is that the true cost of national defense is much, much higher.  If you add in defense organizations such as the FBI, veteran affairs, portions of the State Department, etc.  You easily get to a trillion dollars.

So the question of national defense is well warranted. So the Platform...

1. The Members of the Armed Forces deserve our admiration, respect and unwavering support.  The line from a Few Good Men by Jack Nicholson is so very true: 
"We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way"

It is easy for us to sit in our homes and complain about defense spending, conflicts and wars.  While worthwhile discussions and rightfully apart of the conversation, we must not forget the individuals who are carrying out their duties.  Spending on veterans should be examined, refined and reviewed. The Veterans Administration should be reviewed from top to bottom.  The methodologies and support functions for our veterans should be modern and cutting edge whether that be GI Bills, home loans or medical care.
2. The United States should continue to be a recognized international force for stabilizing otherwise unstable situations.  It is easy to say our role should not be a police force.  But saying so is like saying that homeless person should just get a job.  It isn't that easy.  An international force to address and respond to crisis is necessary and the reality is our country has the wealth and influence to be that nation.  It should be done with care, openness and always with the interests of the oppressed in mind.

3. The Armed Forces should be equipped to fight the newest threats with the more advanced technologies.  Evaluation of the methodologies of training and types of equipment should reflect the threats we face.  While all threats cannot be known, preparing for Icelandic space war should not top our spending priorities.
4. The monitoring, control, and (where needed) prevention of the spread of nuclear weapons is essential to domestic and international security.  I realize it is easy to sit behind our nuclear arsenal and say you can't have one.  I realize we are the only country in the history of time to use a nuclear weapon in an act of war.  However, I believe our values as a people would not stand for us to be 'rouge' in another use of a nuclear weapon.  Using our arsenal as an international veil of protection is warranted.  Preventing rogue nations, tribes or groups from acquiring nuclear weapons should be mission one.

Overall Discussion:  The talking of national defense could go on forever.  The truth is the 687 billion dollars is a major driver of the USA economy.  I am not a proponent of cutting defense spending, however, ensuring the spending is addressing current threats, preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, deployed in ways to assist those living under repressive regimes and ultimately providing the very best for the Men and Women in and out of uniform is key.  

If I was President, that 687 billion would be evaluated and some priorities would be shifted favoring Veteran spending, modernization and nuclear threats.

Current theaters of war, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya need to be evaluated.  I am not going to evoke President G.W. Bush's saying of 'Generals in the field will determine troop levels', but I will say that I have no vested trust that the Congress of the United States has the ability to not play politics with the US Military.  To that end, the Joints Chiefs of Staff should be advising the President on the ends that meet the means.  I will say I am confused on what exactly our ends, means or goals are in Libya.  So in effect I am 'punting' on the current theater questions.  Take that CNN!