Obama's Comments on BP Oil Leak

I read Obama's speech on the BP oil leak and I agree with him 100%. But we could apply more leverage on BP than Obama mentioned in his speech. We could threaten to seize all BP's American assets and not release them until BP fully satisfies all of our demands. I think this is one sure way to prevent BP from playing games with the claims against them and own up to their responsibilities.

Personally, I haven't gone to a BP gas station and I don't intend to. The American public has the option to punish BP by putting BP's enterprises out of business. That is another strong action that many Americans are angry enough to take. However that option will hurt US workers.

There is one more. Conservatives have always criticize big government but lowering our dependence on fossil fuels is one area where big government is totally justified. I applaud Obama's efforts thus far to eliminate our dependence in fossil fuels: Especially fossil fuels imported from nations that harbor terrorists. This could be additional leverage on Arab nations. I don't think it is wise to remain dependent on Islamic nations that harbor terrorists (or provide financial support for terrorism) for fossil fuels. But in order to do this our government must have the courage to actively seek out other types of energy. Tax incentives won't suffice during a recession. We need much more than tax incentives.

I would challenge conservatives of all political parties to drum up the courage to implement government programs that partially finance research into other forms of energy and provide a multi-year major tax break for any company that succeeds in providing Americans with another form of energy. I challenge all states to do the same. This is well worth spending on. The increase in the deficit will be negated by the lowered risks associated with buying fossil fuels from Islamic nations that harbor terrorists.

Many consider Obama's statements regarding non-fossil fuels as an attempted distraction. This attitude by conservatives is most annoying. Are conservatives perfectly content to allow continued dependence on fossil fuels? Do conservative have the courage to exercise big government when it is absolutely necessary? Or will conservatives remain narrow minded and inflexible; thereby blocking real progress on this omni-important issue?