Political Views on Energy

     In today’s political world, there is an internal war between Democrats and Republicans regarding numerous issues. Among these issues, one of the most controversial and life-altering is America’s energy source and how it effects the environment. While Democrats support change in our current system, Republicans are more focused of the outcome it will have on the economy (NY Times).

      Democrats, taking a more liberal stance, view the issue as immediate, promoting measures to reduce oil consumption, which they believe will ultimately reduce the risk of climate change (NY Times). Seventy-eight percent of Democrats believe that we should convert to another source of energy (Washington Post). To achieve the goal of energy independence, they support repealing money in tax breaks for oil companies, developing alternative fuels, requiring trucks and cars to become more fuel-efficient, and using the “cap-and-trade” system, which in the most basic terms limits the amount of greenhouse gases that companies can produce (NY Times).

      Republicans, on the other hand, view the issue as one that should only be changed for economic purposes (NY Times). Most doubt that any alternative measures will prevent global warming or help create jobs, and supported President George W. Bush when he decided not to sign the global treaty the Kyoto Protocol. When asked if they supported energy change, only one third of Republicans said yes (Washington Post). Instead, they favor obtaining our energy sources at home and not relying on other nations and finding inexpensive forms of energy such as using coal to produce liquid fuel; they oppose change through restrictions, and mandating alternative energy (NY Times). When asked their position on the “cap-and-trade” system if it significantly  lowered greenhouse gases yet added twenty-five extra dollars toward their monthly electrical bill, almost seventy percent of Republicans disapproved, compared to about half of Democrats who disapprove (Washington Post).

      Both parties are unsure whether to tread onto the grounds of nuclear energy as our energy resource since so little is known about it. Also, within each party there are some exceptions to the general “rules.” For example, Republican John McCain supports reducing oil consumption, and Democrat Barack Obama supports using coal to produce liquid fuel (NY Times).

      With support from six out of ten members, Congress approves converting America’s energy. While the Democrats and most Independents give their strong consent, Republicans are more hesitant about their ideas of change (Washington Post). However, the question in politics is not whether or not America’s energy source will change, but rather what aspects and how much will change.