Saying no to the politics of fear

Recently I received yet another hate-filled, fear-based political e-mail. It did not address any of the issues, positions or policies. It was simply smut aimed at creating fear. I find this political strategy to be the real problem in American politics today.

We are facing challenges that we haven’t seen in a generation; two wars, economic upheaval, rising unemployment, energy and environmental crises, a mortgage debacle, a banking meltdown — the list is long and complex.

We need the candidates to address how we as a nation will face these challenges, what sacrifices we will need to make, the innovations to which we need to commit and how we will pay for whatever it is we decide to do. We, as a people, need to demand specific plans and policies from our potential leaders. We need to send a message that “politics as usual” will not work this time.

Let us as a nation stand up to political pandering. Let us not respond to our own fears and be led down a delusional path, hoping against hope that if we simply ignore the reality of a problem that it will go away.

Case in point: Off-shore drilling. Recent polls say that 70 percent of the people favor off-shore drilling. They believe that this will provide short-term relief for prices at the pump. If we take the time to research the truth we find that the energy information administration and the Department of Energy have both reported that any benefit from off- shore drilling will take 7 to 10 years.

Furthermore, by that time, the benefit will most likely not impact the price at the pump, as that is driven by the world economy, not just American consumption. The argument that we can eliminate our dependency on foreign oil by drilling here at home is entirely false.

America has only 3 percent of the world’s oil reserve, yet we currently consume 25 percent of the world’s oil production. Even if we were to tap all of America’s oil tomorrow, we’d still rely on foreign oil. The only real solution is to find alternative energy sources that are viable for transportation, heat, and electricity.

As Americans we deserve the truth from our politicians.

We deserve to hear how they plan on breaking our addiction to foreign oil. We are tough — we can do what it takes — but we need to know the truth, not some half-baked, poll-driven version that someone thinks might help them win an election.

Let the candidates discuss this critical issue. While we are at it, let’s ask them to debate nuclear energy. A great energy source but what they will do with the toxic waste? Is Yucca Mountain their solution? What are their plans for securing our borders from drug dealers and terrorists? What will they do about Social Security and Medicare? How is it that we can be satisfied with name calling and character assassination when so much is at stake?

Alex Cole

Incline Village