The old alternative

Good morning, America. It's time to have a quick talk.

In the past few weeks, gas prices have been falling in response to the economic crisis and decreased demand for fossil fuels.

Yes, it's a great thing, isn't it? Cheap gas, right when everyone is hurting so much.

The problem, America, is that you've used the cheapening supply of fuel as an excuse to skimp on alternative energy spending.

Again, this is understandable, given the tenuous nature of the economy.

But remember: Gas is cheaper, not more plentiful. This is a biggie, folks. When the oil runs out, which it will, the developmental stage of alternative energy at that point will be the difference between that shift being a small bump and a massive crash, several ominous minutes of silence, and then agonized groaning.

America, while we're on the subject of oil, your gluttony should be addressed too. The issue is not exactly your consumption of oil, but rather your lack of compunction at such consumption.

The U.S. pioneered many of the modern needs for oil, from cars to manufacturing, and there is a deep-set belief in the necessity of creature comforts here, so such a large-scale consumption is easy to understand. We use about 25 percent of the world's oil while we sit on only about four percent of the world's supply.

Morally, this is a sticky situation. You're taking more than your fair share, America. But from a security standpoint, this is even worse. Believing in the permanence of oil at the expense of the development of alternative energy is arrogance akin to your belief in your own invincibility in the latter years of the last century.

Look what happened because of that.

Imagine if the dot-com bubble had been built on some actual substance. The alternative energy bubble could just keep growing until it solidifies into a beautiful steel sphere of money.

Oh, it's too much money right now, America? Bull. Find the dough. Scrape the couch.

Really, how often does an incredibly lucrative opportunity to save the world come along? Get on the bus.