At the outset, I want it to be known – that I come in peace.  I don’t really have an agenda, just a thought – an idea.  I don’t consider it to be the answer.  But it is an answer, for the questions that very much need to be answered now; the very direction of our country, its policies and it’s very standing in the world of nations.  
           Immediately, most would consider this a rather complex, multi-layered problem – and they would be correct.  It is complicated and should be approached as such.  As with most problems, especially ones of these magnitudes, the first thing that should be decided is what the desired outcomes are.  
         In this case, the ideal outcomes would be – ending our decade’s long dependence on international sources of oil, creating jobs, stabilizing the economy, and securing our economic future.  Pretty tall order, especially when you consider all of the elements involved; and all the political forces and special interests that have a stake in this.
         But we shouldn’t approach this from a position of some talking points or dogma – liberal or conservative.  It should be with the focus, the emphasis on these much needed solutions, and a need for the mutually held national resolve to achieve those very same solutions.  
          It may stun some of those who are currently in the positions of creating policy and the national agenda – but the ideas suggested here stem from basic practicality and everyday common sense.  They are founded in commonly accepted facts, simple truths.
           I don’t have a finance degree or one in accounting either; so I will leave the scoring of these ideas to the CBO, the details of implementation to the administrators and regulators, but the results are intended to reach the ideal outcomes already outlined.  
         Think of the first part of this idea to be like a stone thrown into the water, and everything that comes after it as the ripples caused by that action.  It is clearly understood and accepted that we have an abundance of natural gas in this country; probably the largest quantities on the planet.  And because of our current levels of production and the mild winter this year, we actually have ample supplies and are in fact, experiencing surpluses.  Add to all of that the fact that the current price of natural gas is much cheaper than gasoline.  
           These facts alone should be all that is necessary to consider this as a viable solution to the first part of the problem; ending or reducing our dependence on foreign sources for energy.  We should exploit this natural resource for our collective benefit.  But to what end.
         So, here is the first ripple.  Consider that manufacturing is an area of sore need in this country.  We have lost so many of these jobs to foreign out sourcing in the last few decades. Also consider that we, as a nation, have an interest in an automobile manufacturing entity already.  Wouldn’t it be prudent to invest in the production of a natural gas powered automobile – whether it is through free market sources, our own federal government or a combination of both?   I mean, we have thrown money in the general direction of alternative energy sources already (see Solyndra); why not do that in this case, when it really makes so much sense.
         Another ripple in the water; the production of these natural gas powered engines for the purpose of refitting  all of the older automobiles in the United States.  That means jobs.  Further, it will mean the need for more mechanics, technicians for this new industry – outside of initial manufacturing.  We will also need to produce the equipment for the fueling stations of these engines; again, more jobs and the need for more technicians and the purveyors.
         To set fire to this movement, our national resolve should be tapped into.  We should decide that our goal is to reduce regular gasoline powered cars by half in five years; similarly, our goal to reduce our demand for regular gasoline by half in that same period of time should also be the target.  It would be a win-win situation.  Add to the equation the reduction of our carbon foot print, and even the environmentalist will be happy.
          Sure, we still need to explore all of the possibilities when it comes to alternative energy sources; renewable sources, nuclear power and a host of other avenues.  But this is, and will be an immediate bridge to that end, with untold and even more important, immediate as well as long term benefits.  We need to sign on to this – the same way that our national resolve carried us to the moon.  This is practical, sensible and is direction that few should find fault with.