We don’t need ANY tech breakthroughs at all to effect radical economic, goeopolitical and environmental improvement.

Here it is ... it's all about politics. Never mind technology, money, research, that's all bullshit. In late 2004, we have all the solutions we need to solve our energy and environmental problems. It happens to be very simple. All we need is politicians who have the guts to make decisions that may be "offensive" to some special interest groups.

In one sense, it's relatively easy …. First as you have said, AEman, we need to eliminate all oil powered power plants and replace them with modern, safe nuclear plants. Also, all outdated coal plants would also be replaced by new nukes. Remaining high emissions coal plants would be retrofitted to reduce emissions, especially CO2.

In parallel with the above, we would begin replacing passenger cars and light trucks with hybrid vehicles that get at least 40 mpg. The government would offer cash rebates to purchasers of these vehicles. Phased in over ten years, auto manufacturers would be required to produce only passenger vehicles and light trucks that get at least 32 mpg.

Now how do we pay for all this? Three easy pieces:

1. A Federal gasoline tax increase of of $1 per gallon.
2. A 10 percent fed tax on all vehicles that get less than 32 mpg.
3. Elimination of all Federal subsidies and grants for alternative energy research.

While point three may seem counterproductive at first, that money would be better put into private programs to implement, not research alternative energy. If there is potential profit from any research program, the private sector will suck it up.

There it is, but guess what, you can’t have it. Not unless we place term limits on politicians and completely eliminate lobbyists from capitol hill. This will be the topic of another letter.

-- Dr. Dom