Barack Obama put forward a broad energy plan Monday designed to end U.S. reliance on imported oil within 10 years. Note that he says “imported oil.” There are only two ways to interpret that statement: either he predicts that we can reduce our usage of oil products down to a level supported by current domestic production, or we must replace imported oil with additional domestic production.
Since he has (until today) been unalterably opposed to new domestic drilling, one can only surmise that he expects to reduce our consumption of petroleum dramatically to a point that we can support all petroleum-derived products from our current domestic production level.
"Breaking our oil addiction is one of the greatest challenges our generation will ever face," the Illinois Democrat told a supportive audience as he began a week's focus on energy issues. "It will take nothing less than a complete transformation of our economy," he said.
Give me a break.
If what Barack said was true, how on earth can he believe that we, the people of this country, are stupid enough to put that monumental task in the hands of someone with NO experience at anything except civil rights?
“A complete transformation of our economy,” he says, and he thinks that he’s the man to do it? How arrogant is that? He, who has never been fully responsible for anything, is the messiah who can work miracles? To do what he suggests, will take a miracle. I am most interested in how he plans to replace the petroleum-derived products that are included in the following list:
One 42-gallon barrel of oil creates 19.4 gallons of gasoline. The rest (over half) is used to make things like:
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Solvents
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Diesel
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Motor Oil
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Bearing Grease
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Ink
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Floor Wax
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Ballpoint Pens
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Football Cleats
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Upholstery
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Sweaters
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Boats
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Insecticides
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Bicycle Tires
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Sports Car Bodies
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Nail Polish
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Fishing lures
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Dresses
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Tires
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Golf Bags
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Perfumes
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Cassettes
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Dishwasher
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Tool Boxes
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Shoe Polish
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Motorcycle Helmet
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Caulking
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Petroleum Jelly
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Transparent Tape
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CD Player
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Faucet Washers
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Antiseptics
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Clothesline
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Curtains
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Food Preservatives
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Basketballs
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Soap
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Vitamin Capsules
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Antihistamines
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Purses
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Shoes
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Dashboards
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Cortisone
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Deodorant
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Footballs
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Putty
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Dyes
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Panty Hose
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Refrigerant
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Percolators
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Life Jackets
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Rubbing Alcohol
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Linings
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Skis
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TV Cabinets
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Shag Rugs
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Electrician's Tape
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Tool Racks
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Car Battery Cases
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Epoxy
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Paint
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Mops
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Slacks
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Insect Repellent
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Oil Filters
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Umbrellas
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Yarn
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Fertilizers
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Hair Coloring
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Roofing
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Toilet Seats
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Fishing Rods
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Lipstick
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Denture Adhesive
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Linoleum
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Ice Cube Trays
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Synthetic Rubber
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Speakers
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Plastic Wood
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Electric Blankets
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Glycerin
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Tennis Rackets
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Rubber Cement
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Fishing Boots
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Dice
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Nylon Rope
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Candles
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Trash Bags
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House Paint
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Water Pipes
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Hand Lotion
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Roller Skates
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Surf Boards
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Shampoo
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Wheels
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Paint Rollers
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Shower Curtains
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Guitar Strings
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Luggage
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Aspirin
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Safety Glasses
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Antifreeze
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Football Helmets
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Awnings
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Eyeglasses
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Clothes
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Toothbrushes
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Ice Chests
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Footballs
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Combs
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CD's
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Paint Brushes
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Detergents
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Vaporizers
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Balloons
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Sun Glasses
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Tents
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Heart Valves
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Crayons
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Parachutes
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Telephones
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Enamel
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Pillows
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Dishes
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Cameras
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Anesthetics
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Artificial Turf
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Artificial limbs
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Bandages
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Dentures
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Model Cars
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Folding Doors
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Hair Curlers
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Cold cream
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Movie film
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Soft Contact lenses
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Drinking Cups
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Fan Belts
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Car Enamel
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Shaving Cream
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Ammonia
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Refrigerators
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Golf Balls
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Toothpaste
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Gasoline
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Showing only 144 out of 6,000 items [source: Ranken Energy]
The answer is that we are being told what his campaign believes we need to hear in order to get Obama elected – pure and simple. They know (as do we) that what they’re proposing is not realistically possible in ten years – or twenty years - perhaps even thirty years. I don’t think that the American people are willing to do without a substantial number of those items identified above in order to reduce dependence on foreign oil, while at the same time, allowing no increase in domestic drilling - it's folly - it is Obama's Folly.
And lastly, how can it be ok to work toward his goal 10 years away, when yesterday it was futile to start new domestic drilling because it wouldn’t be productive for “10 years”? His plan won’t be complete for 10 years, so why bother to start it? Same logic, isn’t it?
An 8/7/08 update: our friend Crawfish has a related post over at the swamp that details how those oil company "excess" profits are distributed - you might be surprised - again, information that Obama doesn't think anyone will bother to check. Here's the link: The Swamp