Radical Avenue

Like many other nations, Brazil faced an energy crisis in the 1970’s. Unlike the others however, Brazil had the foresight to establish a long term strategy for eliminating their countries’ dependence on foreign oil.

Brazil has now achieved energy independence through a decade’s long effort to develop alternative energy sources. They dramatically boosted production of ethanol from sugar cane. Brazilian service stations were retrofitted. And since 2003 automakers have been selling “flex fuel” cars, which run on either ethanol or gasoline. Now Brazil doesn’t depend on the Arab world for energy and doesn’t involve itself in the politics of Arab countries.

The United States could have obtained energy independence by now as well, but our politics won’t allow it. We’re lousy at implementing long term solutions. Our presidents have a tendency to cast aside programs initiated by previous administrations and Congress is constantly tinkering with agency budgets. You can’t move in a straight line while changing directions every four years.

Our country needs a national advisory referendum so that voters can set the agenda for America. Here are a few goals which will only be accomplished through a disciplined, long term approach.

• Peace in the Middle East – Open warfare has been common in this region for the past hundred years. Getting the various the political factions together to consider lasting peace agreements could take years. We need an unwavering commitment from our top diplomats.

• Significant Violent Crime Reduction – Most of the people in prison now have a limited chance for true rehabilitation and integration back into society. We should focus our efforts on reaching at risk youth. By getting kids on the straight and narrow before they choose a life of crime, we avoid the costs of adult imprisonment. But such a program could take a decade or more to show results.

• Forest Renewal – Forests take a hundred years to grow. The re-forestation projects underway today are for the benefit of our children’s great grandchildren.

Brazil, energy independence, ethanol, flex fuel, long term solutions, Middle East, Middle East peace, violent crime, re-forestation