Wednesday, July 04, 2007

A Declaration of (Energy) Independence

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to displace the hydrocarbon bonds which have fueled them (and were provided by another) and to assume from the recurring power of the earth and sun, the sustainable and independent energy which the Laws of Nature provide them, a decent respect to the opinions of the men vested in the established order requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We (should) hold these truths to be self-evident, that all generations are created equal, that they are endowed by Creation with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life (through air, water and a stable climate), Liberty (from foreign powers), and the Pursuit of (sustainable) Happiness. -- That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their powers from the consent of the governed, but also owing a responsibility to the to-be-governed, -- That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter it, and to institute new Governmental Principles and Forms as to them shall seem most likely to effect the Safety and Happiness of their and future generations.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Government Principles long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience has shown that the common good has been more disposed to be subordinated to private interests by Governmental activism. But when a long train of externalities, driven by private economic choices, and leading invariably to reduce the common good, are not being righted by an inactive Government, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such inactivity and to provide new Principles for their future security.

Such has been the patient sufferance of these United States (since at least 1973); and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter the Principles of their Government. The history of the present government-energy complex (culminating in the current administration) is a history of repeated denials, delays and missed opportunities, all having the direct result of mortgaging the futures of the children of this country. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

We have based our development far too much on burning hydrocarbons, releasing global warming gases into the general atmosphere at unsustainable rates.

We have imported energy sources in massive quantities from lands hostile to our goals and indifferent to our values without regard for the repercussions.

We have obstructed international efforts to lead the global economy to more sustainable methods of economic growth.

We have refused to make minor trade-offs even in exchange for large improvements against these problems, and we have allowed our government to remain inactive.

We have allowed men at the ends of their political careers to achieve short-term personal gains by refuting that these problems even exist.

We have allowed environmental symbols to over-shadow true environmentalism and to scuttle possible common-sense compromises.

We have been discouraged by the short-term costs of alternatives, without sufficiently considering ways to lower those costs or the offsetting long-term costs of the status quo.

We have instituted inconsistent policies, designed to react to short-term outrage without laying the foundation for long-term change.

We, therefore, the citizens of the united States of America, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, (should), solemnly publish and declare, That these united colonies are, and of Right ought to be set on a path to be Free (of established vested interests) and (Energy) Independent States; and that as States on the path to this Freedom and Independence, must take full power to establish new sources of Energy, discourage waste, internalize externalities, encourage long-term technological development that will eventually be free of governmental support, and do all other Acts and Things which conscientious States (and stewards for future generations) must of Right do. -- And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Truth of nature, the power of ingenuity and the ability to act in the common good, we must mutually pledge to each other our commitment, open-mindedness and Good Faith.

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