barack obama: would-be energy dictator...

...and all-around communist. This Suntimes story today reveals the dictatorial tendencies we might expect from a President Obama.

Obama was guest speaker at The Associated Press' annual luncheon, held on the opening day of the Newspaper Association of America's convention.

He accused President Bush of a "stubborn refusal" to attack the causes of climate change, and said tougher fuel standards, stricter curbs on oil imports and more investment in cleaner energy are essential to avert global catastrophe.

"Saying that America is addicted to oil without following a real plan for energy independence is like admitting alcoholism and then skipping out on the 12-step program," said Obama in a reference to one of the principal themes of Bush's State of the Union address.

I don't feel sorry for Bush; he opened himself up for this abuse with his feeble attempt to cater to the greenies; Obama is just bringing Bush's start to its logical conclusion: total control of energy policy by the federal leviathan.

He cited several pieces of legislation he has introduced in Congress, including one to help defray the auto industry's costs of investment in more fuel-efficient cars. It calls for the federal government to pick up a portion of the costs automakers pay for retiree health care, so long as companies use some of the savings to retool their factories.

Obama said the Big Three automakers spent $6.7 billion on retiree health care costs in 2004.

"It's a win-win proposal for the industry-- their retirees will be taken care of, they'll save money on health care, and they'll be free to invest in the kind of fuel-efficient cars that are the key to their competitive future," he said of the legislation.

And the average tax-paying American gets screwed once again.

"As gas prices keep rising, the Middle East grows every more unstable and the ice caps continue to melt, we face a now-or-never, once-in-a-generation opportunity to set this country on a different course," he said.

He said the country should reduce oil imports by more than 7.5 million barrels a day by 2025, a cutback two-thirds greater than the administration's target of 4.5 million.

He also said fuel economy standards should rise 3 percent a year over the next 15 years, beginning in 2008.

Can you believe this guy? Why stop there, Barack? Why not 4%? Why not 5%? Why not tell Americans what exterior/interior color combinations they can choose for their cars as well? They might choose some ugly colors without wise federal guidance!

The use of ethanol in fuel should be encouraged, he said, supporting tax breaks for companies to install the necessary tanks on their cars and for consumers who use E85, a blended fuel.

"Unless we free ourselves from a dependence on these fossil fuels and chart a new course on energy in this country, we are condemning future generations to potential catastrophe," he said.

No, it's the bankrupt, overbearing federal government that you're a part of that's condemning the future generations. And I'm sure your support for ethanol has absolutely nothing at all to do with the fact that some Illinois corn farmers might stand to benefit from such a policy.