While both the Republicans and Democrats are preaching energy independence I find it hard to believe the Republican camp means it. Whether you like it or not, Michael Moore made a great point in Fahrenheit 9/11 about this exact issue. The President of the United States makes about $400,000 per year. The Bush administration's relationship with the Saudi royal family probably pays substantially more. When it comes time to make a decision affecting both, whose interests come first. While a Bush isn't running again (dodged a bullet there) there's no question regarding the conflicts of interest presented with both John McCain's and Sarah Palin's relationships to corporate lobbying. What incentive do they have to search for any other alternative for our energy needs than oil? Check the Republican donor list. See any wind companies? See any solar companies? Didn't think so. As soon as John McCain mentioned his proposal to lift the moratorium on offshore drilling he received campaign donations exceeding $750,000 from executives and employees in the oil and gas industries... just in the month of June. Coincidence? Doubt it. The economic plan they tout? Tax cuts for the 5 largest American oil companies totalling $3.8 billion dollars. Notice your wallet was a little lighter recently? Maybe that mortgage payment got there a few days later this month. I can think of a lot of people that might be better suited for that money. By the way, the oil industry just released their profits for the previous quarter about a month ago. For the first time ever their profits exceeded $50 billion. It doesn't seem like they need any more help with their bottom line. Are we going to eliminate our dependence on foreign oil (and for that matter oil altogether) overnight? Probably not. But if we don't act now, the pain we feel down the road will be swift and ruthless. Not one form of alternative energy can replace the needs we as a country have as a viable alternative. But if they worked together... Imagine a power grid run by solar, wind, biomass, nuclear and tidal energies. The cost and environmental impact of our newfound lifestyles could be a fraction of what it is today. What incentive do McCain and Palin have to explore alternatives? I don't see any. Remember, who pays their bills. Oh yeah, Palin. What state is she from again? I wonder if they have any oil there...