A list of action items needed NOW to have an impact.
I'm by no means an expert on alternative fuel, and I will defer that discussion to others more qualified than myself. But I do have a couple ideas that would be helpful ensuring the PickensPlan results in action. My list is by no means a complete list, and I welcome everyone to contribute so this issue has some lasting impact.
So here goes:
0. Provide a list of legislative items that support the PickensPlan and make it a reality. The list should be clear on what needs to be done, how it supports the success of the PickensPlan, and how to best achieve it via legislation. I don't pretend to understand all the things needed to fully support the plan; this list would show where we need to go but not necessarily dictate how to get there.
1. Setup an email campaign from PickensPlan to every US Senate and House member and anyone running in '08 that allows members of PickensPlan to send an email asking - no, better yet, demanding - they support the PickensPlan. Everyone visiting is asked for their zip code so channeling the emails to the appropriate office or person should be fairly straightforward.
2. Using the same email tools and response engines to give every person running at the national level (the state lever would be great too but probably would not have the impact the US Senate, House and Presidency would have) to either support the PickensPlan or not. No middle ground here. Tell us you're either in or out. No debate.
2a. Post a map of the US that allows PickensPlan members to click down to their home state and their home district to see where the candidates stand. Using colors would be good - red you're out, green you're in. This would be a very handy tool for voters, which I presume you are since you're actively looking at the PickensPlan. It would also be great to allow each person running to post their support (or not) of the PickensPlan and state what they plan to do specifically in support of the PickensPlan if they get elected.
2b. Then after the elections track everyone's voting record and give them a pass or failing grade. This would need to be done on a non-partisan basis lest this become a Dem vs. Rep issue. Every bill related to energy planning should either receive PickensPlan support or not, and then track the voting record of every single vote. This would be a great way of keeping score after the election so we can use it against the blow hards pandering for votes in the next election cycle.
3. Challenge everyone running (and I'm focusing on those running because we can - hopefully - have an impact on whether they get elected or not) to declare publicly their support (or not) and post it on PickensPlan.
The idea is to move the PickensPlan forward into concrete action items that we can all vote on in the fall regardless of political affiliation. Good idea? Bad idea?
On a more practical set of issues it would be very helpful to provide the tools to help people take action themselves. For example, in the other Forum pages there's a lot of talk about converting cars to NG. Well it would be helpful to have links to pages that actually show you how to convert a car, and if there aren't links then generate a How To guide. Other things that would be helpful would be a map to NG stations, how to use your home NG supply to fill your car (if that's possible), things to consider to convert your car, etc. This information would allow individuals to take action on their own to move the plan forward because, call me a cynic if you want, I don't expect anything of substance to come out of Washington in the short run.
So here goes:
0. Provide a list of legislative items that support the PickensPlan and make it a reality. The list should be clear on what needs to be done, how it supports the success of the PickensPlan, and how to best achieve it via legislation. I don't pretend to understand all the things needed to fully support the plan; this list would show where we need to go but not necessarily dictate how to get there.
1. Setup an email campaign from PickensPlan to every US Senate and House member and anyone running in '08 that allows members of PickensPlan to send an email asking - no, better yet, demanding - they support the PickensPlan. Everyone visiting is asked for their zip code so channeling the emails to the appropriate office or person should be fairly straightforward.
2. Using the same email tools and response engines to give every person running at the national level (the state lever would be great too but probably would not have the impact the US Senate, House and Presidency would have) to either support the PickensPlan or not. No middle ground here. Tell us you're either in or out. No debate.
2a. Post a map of the US that allows PickensPlan members to click down to their home state and their home district to see where the candidates stand. Using colors would be good - red you're out, green you're in. This would be a very handy tool for voters, which I presume you are since you're actively looking at the PickensPlan. It would also be great to allow each person running to post their support (or not) of the PickensPlan and state what they plan to do specifically in support of the PickensPlan if they get elected.
2b. Then after the elections track everyone's voting record and give them a pass or failing grade. This would need to be done on a non-partisan basis lest this become a Dem vs. Rep issue. Every bill related to energy planning should either receive PickensPlan support or not, and then track the voting record of every single vote. This would be a great way of keeping score after the election so we can use it against the blow hards pandering for votes in the next election cycle.
3. Challenge everyone running (and I'm focusing on those running because we can - hopefully - have an impact on whether they get elected or not) to declare publicly their support (or not) and post it on PickensPlan.
The idea is to move the PickensPlan forward into concrete action items that we can all vote on in the fall regardless of political affiliation. Good idea? Bad idea?
On a more practical set of issues it would be very helpful to provide the tools to help people take action themselves. For example, in the other Forum pages there's a lot of talk about converting cars to NG. Well it would be helpful to have links to pages that actually show you how to convert a car, and if there aren't links then generate a How To guide. Other things that would be helpful would be a map to NG stations, how to use your home NG supply to fill your car (if that's possible), things to consider to convert your car, etc. This information would allow individuals to take action on their own to move the plan forward because, call me a cynic if you want, I don't expect anything of substance to come out of Washington in the short run.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Krash66 on -
EXCELLENT, BRAVO!!!!
I would like to add, that like it or not, many, if not most, people in America are or will be sceptical of a Bush supporting oil man pushing away from oil without some other motive. I believe for this organization to "Have Teeth" it will have to publically declare Bi/NON partisanship and be a Non profit organization, with reputable people of science and ALL energy, farming, environmental, industrial areas represented here.
I may be a sceptic, but I am still asking myself, "What's in this for Mr. Pickens?" There must be some hidden agenda.
This is a truly admirable thing Mr. Pickens has undertaken, and it must get the legs to push beyond good ideas. The only way I see it succeeding is if Politics is taken out of the picture, and politicians are not handcuffed by Party ideology. We must proceed pragmatically if we are to succeed. BTW Thanks again for your post.
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Permalink Reply by Jeff Marquis on -
Krash66,
Thanks for the kind words. I think there's enough traction to really get something done, but I agree that it can't turn into a political football game.
There may be a hidden agenda, and that's why I think point 0 of my post is so important. Let's get it out there to see what legislative items are most important to make the plan a reality. That kind of transparency will, IMHO, thwart anyone saying there is or isn't a hidden agenda.
And, quite frankly, I could care less if there's an agenda. Something has to be done and it has to be done NOW. According to the spot I saw this morning Mr. Pickens is putting up $58M of his own money to launch this campaign. A little ROI might not be a bad thing provided the plan does what it's intended - reduce our dependence on foreigh oil (despite a lot of the rhetoric on a lot of forums).
I'm staying tuned and blasting emails to everyone I know to get people onto this site. And that's something I strictly reserve for business purposes. Thanks for your response!
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Permalink Reply by American in the D.R. on -
I second the "Bravo". Key words: "ACTION", "NOW", "IMPACT".
I think that wind power is the only solution that meets the goals of these words. Other projects will take years. The U.S. does not have years to meet the above words.
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Permalink Reply by Leslie Hansen on -
Your ideas are some of the best ideas I've read on this site!! Good Job!!
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Permalink Reply by Linda C on -
I hope someone sets up a safe, easy to use way of contacting political people. Make it simple for us old folks.
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Permalink Reply by John Gregg on -
my newly elected congressman is holding a tellephone town hall meeting tuesday night at 7 to address energy issues. Should be interesting.....
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Permalink Reply by James Cranford on -
The e-mail campaign to Congress is really needed. Just heard Obama on the campaign trail promising checks sent from the gov't to every household to help them pay for the high price of gas. They don't get it! We don't want or need a hand-out. We need a comprehensive plan to reduce our dependence on foreign oil moving forward now, with any money available for hand-out to be applied to incentives to move this plan foward quickly.
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Permalink Reply by James Cranford on
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Here's another dimension to our crisis. The Saudis and Iran have financed a significant portion of our huge federal debt. Why? Because they know they have us by the short hairs and are willing to accept small returns on US debt securities in exchange for the huge transfer of wealth from our country to theirs. For this reason, it will be tough going to eventually achieve energy independence, because our economy cannot now withstand losing Middle Eastern financing of our federal debt. Our message to Congress must also include a clear statement that we must immediately begin reducing our federal debt, no matter how much it hurts.
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Permalink Reply by James Cranford on
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For the lady who needed e-mail addresses for Congress. Pls go to the url below:
www.webslingerz.com/jhoffman/congress-email.html
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Permalink Reply by Darlena Frick on -
I think this was very well written and thought out. There have been several good comments about this subject and I plan on going into action tomorrow. A single drop of water may not seem like much but put enought together and you will have a flood.
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Permalink Reply by James Cranford on
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Here's a website that provides the street address for existing CNG filling stations. On the home page, just click on your state.
www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas_locations.html
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