[jbooth]

I'm frustrated too although we did have attempts at financial reform and at cap and trade in the House and Senate. I don't think Obama's the principle person holding them up -- and yes, they're flawed proposals. But he's trying to do something.

Just curious, do you see oil dependence as a problem too?

[anamax]

> Just curious, do you see oil dependence as a problem too?

Which "oil dependence" problem? The US dependence on imported oil or the developed world's dependence on oil?

I don't see imported oil as a huge problem. It's actually a much bigger problem for other countries.

The US is still a huge oil producing country - it just uses more than it produces. It gets the vast majority of its imports from Canada and Mexico, with a significant fraction from South America. If the Middle East went south, the US could survive by blocking exports from this hemisphere.

As to the world's dependence, I don't see it as a huge problem either. It's also a choice - we could have more nuclear power.

[sigzero]

I think "oil dependence" is a hard problem to solve because it is hugely political on both sides of the aisle. Dependence on anything is generally bad. However, a "viable" alternative has to be found as well, which I am sure is hugely political as well.

Sorry about the "I wonder" above...was just being snarky.