USA is falling behind

Well, here we are, 2008 and the political will to change energy consumption patterns in the USA is still “Do nothing Know nothing”. Blame the politicians and the gridlock in Washington for that. Until we get some strong leadership at the federal level, we will have to coast on the strength (or weaknesses) of our 200+ year old industrial infrastructure.

Too bad Washington (and George Bush) lacks the imagination to develop actual energy policy for the future. Too bad we have leaders who are so fiscally irresponsible. They gave the money we needed for policy making to the high earners in the form of tax cuts ostensibly becuase they were over taxed. Yeah right.

Now we have a stupid war of choice, super high energy prices, massive capital erosion and no clear way out.

Speaking of infrastructure, in 50 years, I predict that the world will look at our nation as a historical museum of industry. The application of technology and economics will be at its highest in the world which is NOW DEVELOPING. Expect to see China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan at the top instead.

American ingenuity will be tested. But we will still have our incredible universities. We stil have our brains and hearts. We might be out of capital but we will muddle through.

Things may look a little like England in the 60s: a decayed infrastructure with a strong willed citizenry hanging in there until it ends. The UK got out of that funk in the 80s. Maybe America will follow that pattern.

“…hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way”
-Pink Floyd