Letter: Energy independence equals security

Big Oil, Iran, Russia have one thing in common: they are all rooting for McCain/Palin's "drill, drill, drill" energy policy.

As Thomas Friedman commented, focusing on drilling in Alaska, which would produce negligible oil, sends these oil producers the message that “USA is not doing anything to create alternative energy which would threaten” their power.

“Drill, drill, drill” promotes our addiction to oil, which makes our enemies in the oil countries thrilled.

Friedman said voters shouldn't be mistaken in this election, McCain's and Obama's positions on energy are black and white.

McCain supports more oil consumption, while Obama supports renewable energy technology.

Voters should not be fooled by McCain's words promising alternative energy. He was AWOL on supporting eight bills that would have expanded wind and solar. And he says that Palin is an energy expert; however, her expertise is limited to oil.

Palin's so-called taking on big oil meant that she and the Alaska legislature gave Alaskans more percentage of oil's windfall profits. Her policies have nothing to do with ending our addiction, but instead, promotes oil consumption.

Thomas Friedman wrote that the next big industry will be renewable energy technology (E.T.), and the “country that spawns the most E.T. companies will enjoy more economic power, strategic advantage and rising standard of living.”

Friedman said this is the focus of Obama's energy policy.

I, therefore, offer as a metaphor this question: Does America want to follow McCain, the “Hummer,” energy which relies on old, dirty, dying, dangerous (since it supports terrorist states) technology?

Or Obama, the "Hybrid,” representing the new energy technology which would make the USA the leader in the new global industry which equals money. (Just look at GM's versus Toyota’s profits for further proof.)

Since everyone agrees that USA’s security is vulnerable without financial and energy independence, the answer should be easy: Vote Obama.

Andrea Myers

Woodbury

Tags: opinion, letter, myers, mccain, palin, drill, energy