Glad to see someone else admit that neither party is above reproach.

well, I can't dispute that...
but we are doing something
This is from the last state of the union address:
"So tonight, I announce the Advanced Energy Initiative -- a 22-percent increase in clean-energy research -- at the Department of Energy, to push for breakthroughs in two vital areas. To change how we power our homes and offices, we will invest more in zero-emission coal-fired plants, revolutionary solar and wind technologies, and clean, safe nuclear energy.
We must also change how we power our automobiles. We will increase our research in better batteries for hybrid and electric cars, and in pollution-free cars that run on hydrogen. We'll also fund additional research in cutting-edge methods of producing ethanol, not just from corn, but from wood chips and stalks, or switch grass. Our goal is to make this new kind of ethanol practical and competitive within six years."

and this is the site for further information on the specific programs
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/01/20060131-6.html

Yes, there are good things the government is doing for the future as far as lessening our dependency for oil but my concern is the here and now.

It appears that the public does not care enough to curb their appetite for oil. Consumption is not going down. The politicians are using these issues to war against the other side rather than being leaders and focusing on putting an end to terrorism.

The most effective and immediate way to combat terrorism for the short term is to remove the capability for them to fund their activities. You won't get rid of all of it, but the large majority of them will go back to work to support their families.

Our politicians understand this but would rather use it for their own personal and party gain. Gee, that almost sounds like the terrorist. Promoting unity among Americans, encouraging support for our President and our troups, and showing us ways to conserve energy right now would remove their political leverage.

This isn't a Democrat v.s. Republican issue but a civil rights and humanitarian issue.

I applaud the President for what he has and is doing, now and for the future, but it is time for average Joe America to stop being selfish and begin to conserve fuel because we are funding terrorism. If we as consumers would dramatically reduce consumption the price of oil would go down. If the price goes down then the surplus money dries up, thereby dramatically reducing the funding for terrorism. You will not get rid of all of it but it would give democracy in Iraq a fighting chance to survive. Then, with the plans the President has put into action, we could return to our old ways.

Conserve, share a ride, combine trips, spend one less hour out at the lake, ride a bus, carpool, stay home a little more often, tune up your car, if you can afford it buy a more fuel efficient car rather than a gas guzzler, put your thermostat up to 76 degrees, run ceiling fans... There is so much more we can do.

Go to http://www.postcarbon.org/node/2243/view to read some good points about these supposed steps.