Obama's Drilling Plan

This past Wednesday President Obama discussed his plans for off shore drilling, stirring up both conservatives and liberals. Many liberals are upset with the plan because drilling could potentially harm the environment and marine life. They argue that off shore drilling will not solve the problem of America's dependence on foreign oil, but instead will supply a short term fix. Many conservatives on the other hand say that the President's plan will not go far enough in securing a break away from foreign oil. Some even question if the plan will be followed through by Obama. The plan would seek to make parts of the South Atlantic coastline, Gulf of Mexico, and Northern Alaskan Chukchi Sea available for drilling. Part of this plan was taken from the Bush administration, but Bristol Bay in Alaska, which was part of Bush's original plan, would not be opened with Obama's plan. An estimated 3 years supply of oil and natural gas could be gained by this plan. Many critics are saying that the tiny amount of oil is not worth the long term environmental consequences.

I am not really sure what to think of this plan. Considering the fact that America only has 2 percent of the worlds supply of oil, but uses 20 percent of that supply, something needs to be done if we are going to wean ourselves off of foreign oil. I am not sure if drilling is the answer, since we could not sustain ourselves anyway for very long, but I do realize that drilling is an answer. It will take more than this one plan though, which I know Obama realizes. Since America has so little a supply of oil, if we want to be independent when it comes to that, we also need to look into other forms of energy. I hope that if nothing else, this plan will open up dialogue in Washington among both liberals and conservatives, perhaps becoming a catalyst for other plans to be debated about and considered. Or maybe I am just being way too naive....