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That’s right,,,, the energy crises couldn’t have come at a better time and I’ll tell you why at the end of this article, if you haven’t figured it out by then.

   Do you remember the first energy crises during the Nixon years when oil scarcity resulted in long lines at the pumps and the last digit of your license plate determined when you could fill up your car? 

    That crises, if you are old enough to remember, was a direct result of the 1973 Yom Kippur War when the Arab oil producing countries announced that they would no longer ship oil to nations that supported Israel in its war with Syria and Egypt. 

   Clearly, an artificial crises driven by international politics and not an issue of supply.

   Where there is a first there is usually a second, and our second oil crises followed shortly thereafter during the Carter administration.  Again, the crises emanated from the middle east, brought about by the 1979 Iranian Revolution.  The revolution impacted the Iranian oil industry causing a decrease in oil production that resulted in panic, higher oil prices and ultimately the imposition of price controls by the Carter administration. 

   Again, the crisis came about by middle east politics.  But this time there was a real decline in production as opposed to the strictly politically driven decision of OPEC in 1973.

    So, here we are again, in 2008, dealing with an energy crises that has us confronted with close to $5 a gallon gasoline and higher costs for food and other products that require energy for their production.

   This third crises, however, is a little more complicated than the previous two.  There’s plenty of oil in the world, albeit underground.  What makes the current situation so complicated is rising world demand and lack of production.  And of course, we now have a new boogey man to blame… the oil companies, whether real or not.   And yes, there is probably in the mix a level of production and price manipulation.  But above all, the problem this time isn’t so much the availability of oil….its the cost of oil that has us spitting mad.

    The only common thread in all three cases is the absolute failure of the United States to seriously address its dependency on foreign oil.  We didn’t do it 1973 and we didn’t do it in 1979!  Will we do it now?

   Sure, we created an Energy department during the Nixon years, tried price controls and all types of regulations under Carter, and of course, cajoled the oil producing nations throughout the 80’s and 90’s  to be “kind” to us and keep production up and the price of oil down. 

    But the one thing we failed to do, and the only policy that should have been pursued, was a blueprint for energy independence and a cessation to the exportation of America’s wealth to foreign nations.  Period!.  

   So, lets get a grip on reality, and that starts with just that….. reality!  When it comes to energy consumption our appetite is insatiable.   Just take a look at how much of the world’s oil we consume – nearly 21 million barrels of oil a day, an amount equal to the combined consumption of the China, Japan, Germany, Russia, India and Canada.  And, we’re producing less and less energy for our own needs while increasing our dependency on foreign oil to a dangerous level.  The simple fact is, we have failed and it’s about time that we stop blaming the oil producing nations, the gas companies, and everyone in the mix…except ourselves!

   Which brings me back to the beginning…. The energy crises couldn’t have come at a better time.

   At no other time was there an energy crises in the middle of a presidential campaign.  At no other time was a presidential outcome potentially determined in part by an energy crises.   And, at no other time was the American public more focused and determined to have real solutions. 

   John McCain and Barack Obama are stuck with a campaign issue that neither thought would have to be addressed so thoroughly, as they are coming to realize.  Both will be forced to propose solutions, abandoning the blame game and finger-pointing.

   What those solutions will be will no doubt challenge previous policies and require greater resolve.  If voters demand it, the intersecting of the energy crises with the presidential campaign will force the two candidates to propose real solutions that will result in an energy policy that promises energy independence and a stronger America.

   Let the debate begin!