My Super-Duper Plan to Reduce America's Pathetic Dependence on Oil

[Photo: Chicanos hanging out next to their car, San Jose, CA, 1971. Click on image to view larger version]

Boys and girls, here is my brilliant (obvious) plan to reduce America's dependence on oil.
Some of these programs have already been implemented. Please encourage your local politicians and bureaucrats to consider these energy savings ideas. It may be difficult to stop big oil and their partners in government from sucking us dry, but in the long run it's definitely worth it. Good luck!

• Hold a national and International conference on reducing energy consumption and pollution
• Meet with (be nice) and encourage other countries to use energy-saving technologies
• Reward homeowners and renters that conserve or use alternative sources of energy with tax breaks
• Distributors should implement a sliding scale per KWH for residential and small business customers. Many companies today only give you a better rate if you use "more" energy (see www.pec.coop). Energy savers should pay less per KWH not more.
• Support energy conservation with the use of energy saving devices such as replacing incandescent lights with compact fluorescents
• Encourage telecommuting
• Increase and subsidize mass transportation

1. Busses
2. Trains
3. Light rail
4. Bicycle lanes (for the short haul)

• Develop regional, state and national mass transportation corridors
• Elect a president who isn’t too cozy with the oil companies
• Start thousands of twelve-step programs for gas and energy guzzlers (you know who you are ...)
• New slogan: Gas Guzzlers Suck!
• Create a new class of vehicle - 50 MPG Highway Class

1. Low vehicle sales tax
2. Low vehicle registration fee
3. Commuter lane access
4. Vehicles manufactured (engine and chassis) in US get extra tax break
5. No toll road and bridge fees

• Increase the use of Ethanol and Hydrogen fuels
• Rededicate our communities and nation to the development of solar, geothermal, biomass, wind and other clean fuels
• Don't believe the oil lobby and their sycophants who want to drill off-shore or in wildlife refuges
• Finally ... work for peace in the Middle East. We should immediately start an open dialogue with all sides in the conflict

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Gasping for food

[Photo: Typical Tejano style food (not BBQ) as served at the Conjunto Festival, San Antonio, Texas, 2005 - click the image to view a larger version]

I recently moved back to California after being in Texas for more than six years. In the Lone Star State, I enjoyed great BBQ and Tex-Mex food. I lived in Lockhart where world famous Smitty's BBQ was only a five minute stroll down the street (yes, it is world famous). Now that I live in Southern California, my menu and social life have taken a big hit.

Lately, I have been attending in body if not spirit various parties and mixers to meet the locals. The functions my wife and I attend often relate to the university or SoCal art scene. I have to admit that in the end, these gatherings leave me empty in many ways.

Like fish gasping for air on dry land, a party can be a desperate place. What do you say to someone who rants about a subject that you’ve avoided for decades? What’s the horrible food I am eating?

I have speculated that all trendy types must shop at Trader Joe's. I guess the food has to be as esoteric as the conversation. If the party hosts were ever to ask me, they would learn that I prefer garlic-mashed potatoes to hummus. However, intellectuals have learned though travel and research that cranberry salsa is better than that hot variety from Mexico. Chomping on reduced carb soy and flaxseed tortilla chips is a great way to separate oneself from the unwashed masses. God forbid that you eat "regular" chips.

At a recent torture session that would make Torquemada proud, the discussion was constructed around Derrida and Lacoue-Labarthe. I know nothing about deconstruction, post-structuralism and postmodernism. I came to the realization that the hosts and most of the guests could care less that I was oblivious. I was invisable.

Eventually conversation shifted to the latest esoteric art film. During the arcane discussion, I kept my mouth shut and nodded politely while they rambled about the Jean-Luc Godard and Francois Truffaut. Oh yes, the French are so civilized. My wife has us slated to attend another so-called party in September. I am quite sure they won’t be watching football or grilling steaks. Maybe I can get a reprieve and stay home.

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