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Didn't kaiser Wilhelm II once call Alfred Krupp on the carpet for similar business practices? Better cannons, then better armor, then still better cannons and the still better armor? There was even some German word for ir. Old Alfred invested in, and developed, both sides of the business, and the kaiser's treasury had to keep paying for it.
IMHO conservatives and the Republican are very, very unwisely wed to fossile fuels.
There are going to be huge fortunes made this decade, with all manner of new technologies. Gas power is a dinosaur, and the asteroid has already impacted. It's history, just not aware of that fact yet.
Electric cars, especially when solar power is effective for providing the charging, will be a true (massive) win-win for American industry. We can become almost immediately 100% energy independent almost overnight.
This will drive down all transportation costs.
Our balance of trade will turn positive.
The price of the remaining gasoline needs, will plummet.
But we need to be first. Not dragged, complaining and shaking our fists from the window of huge gas-powered boats. :)
Let's make small electric rechargable "plug in hybrid" cars with solar capability, a new Apollo Project.
We've certainly got the enterpreneurial drive, and the technological ability.
We just need to start. Full speed ahead.
Let the liberals catch up.
Oh, Good grief. If the price of oil stays up the alternatives to fossils fuels will thrive. It was the oil bust in the 80s that took them down then. Away with all this theology!