A postscript

This is the moment in history in which our president can make his mark…

As I stated in an earlier blog and Joe Scarborough repeated it this morning – We need a generational call to get us beyond our addiction to oil and achieve energy independence within this decade.

In JFK’s landmark speech, he called for us to place men in the moon and bring then back safely. One of my brother’s in law reminded me of a portion of the text which is very applicable now.  JFK said – “No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish." These words ring true today as they did 40 plus years ago as we attempt to wean ourselves from the foreign oil dependency.

Much of the economic benefits of the space race were in the form of derivatives and connection between jobs, economic benefits were demonstrable but tenuous at best.

The connection of jobs by the unleashing; the prodding of the national will; innovative spirit to search for the most efficient use carbon based fuels; renewable energy and overall independence from foreign oil is far more direct.

We need jobs. The most optimistic economic forecasts call for around 8 percent unemployment by the end of 2011. I don’t think that 8 percent unemployment is a statistics that any one wants to run on for re-election.

We hear a lot about the calm, academic demeanor of the president.

It is true that his presidency has had a very short honeymoon.

The president has faced one crisis after the other. Yet, each of these crises has provided him an opportunity to define his legacy and path for this country.  President Obama should take to heart the last stanza of Robert Frost –“The road not taken”:

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Mr. President – lead us down that road to a brighter future.…