Even though I represented Palin in the class debate, I have to admit that Palin’s policies on energy are too vague and general to actually produce substantial benefits in our time of energy crisis. Drilling in ANWR will absolutely not solve energy problems in the U.S. The drill, drill, drill attitude seems as if it will truly only benefit Alaska. The expert knowledge on energy that McCain claimed Palin to have is mostly limited to the state she governs. Palin has put great emphasis on energy independence, which is an ideal for this country. However, the way in which Palin plans to go about energy independence comes short of ideal, very short. Palin has presented the option of drilling in our lands to use the natural resources we have in an attempt to be independent of foreign suppliers. She defended drilling saying that drilling helps something, even if it cannot solve everything. It seemed that Palin runs her policies on defense.
Barbara had mentioned my answering of reporter’s questions, some that Palin has failed to answer herself. I found great difficulty in representing Palin. Probably the only aspect of this energy crisis that I can full agree with Palin on is that the country should try to raise their energy independence. Besides that, I felt that Palin’s policies could only be defended and not explained. The notion of drilling mainly in Alaska does not offer the grand solution she makes it out to be. In addition, Palin’s extreme lack of emphasis on alternative energy sources causes even greater speculation of a woman who, if elected with McCain, is expected to be the nation’s overseer on energy policy.
Now this does not mean that Palin remains the only candidate without a solution. I agree with Evan and Lisa that none of the candidates seem to have a solid solution. Even with the numerous policies on energy that they present in their debates and campaigns, we must realize that most of it is talk. I don’t wish to be completely pessimistic, but the promises that these candidates make about fixing our energy crisis in ten years or so do not hold any true substance. We cannot easily believe that these policies will just go into effect or effect much in general.
On a lighter note, I was trying to add a video to this entry, but I can’t seem to get it to work. So I will just try to post the link to it instead. Hope you enjoy.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/36863/saturday-night-live-couric–palin-open
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