It's a shame that our country (and by that I mean our politicians) can't actually produce something of value in terms of legislation that benefits not just those who vote today, but also those that will vote a lifetime from now.
As Friedman details, our energy policy in this country is nonexistent, and this not only causes gas prices to rise, but for jobs to head to Germany.
It's a no-brainer that George W. Bush is one of the worst presidents ever. But nearly as equally complicit in his lack of a positive legacy could be all the Congresses that convened on his watch. In Washington, the blame game is the pasttime of choice.
Friedman concludes:
The McCain-Clinton proposal is a reminder to me that the biggest energy crisis we have in our country today is the energy to be serious — the energy to do big things in a sustained, focused and intelligent way. We are in the midst of a national political brownout.
My friend Stephen and his wife told me yesterday that they opened an educational savings account for their daughter, who's now 3 years old. Perhaps they should have opened a fuel savings account so she can afford gas to get to her expensive college of choice.