Still no serious energy debate

President Jimmy Carter addressed the nation more than three decades ago on the country’s energy crisis. He said in that April 18, 1977, televised speech that the nation must get rid of its addiction to foreign oil.

“Tonight, I want to have an unpleasant talk with you about a problem unprecedented in our history. With the exception of preventing war, this is the greatest challenge our country will face during our lifetimes. The energy crisis has not yet overwhelmed us, but it will if we do not act quickly,” he said.

That was 31 years ago.

He continued:

“It is a problem we will not solve in the next few years, and it is likely to get progressively worse through the rest of this century.

“We must not be selfish or timid if we hope to have a decent world for our children and grandchildren ….

“Our decision about energy will test the character of the American people and the ability of the president and Congress to govern. This difficult effort will be the ‘moral equivalent of war’ — except that we will be uniting our efforts to build and not destroy ….”

This speech came four years after the oil embargo imposed during the Nixon administration.

“The 1973 gasoline lines are gone, our homes are warm again. But our energy problem is worse tonight than it was in 1973 or a few weeks ago in the dead of winter. It is worse because more waste has occurred, and more time has passed by without our planning for the future. And it will get worse every day until we act …” he continued.

It has, of course, because Democrats and Republicans can’t come up with an ideological compromise.

This week, even, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain demonstrated that the nation can’t have a serious discussion about the energy crisis. He ridiculed his Democratic opponent’s suggestion that motorists keep automobile tires properly inflated to reduce gasoline consumption. It was petty talk from a man who will be nominated for president.