McCracken for Congress -- A Call for Energy Independence

As We Celebrate Our Independence, It Is Time for Energy Independence.

On Friday July 4th we will celebrate Independence Day marking 232 years since our founding fathers declared that the United States of America would be an independent nation. Back in 1776, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and others showed courage, leadership and vision by drafting the Declaration of Independence creating a democratic government based on freedom and rights for the common people.

Now, 232 years later, we need to see the same courage, leadership and vision from our elected leaders to declare independence again. In 2008, the independence we need to declare is not from tyrannical leaders and an oppressive government but energy independence from foreign sources that have too much control over a product that is so vital to our nation.

Since oil prices began their sharp, steady rise earlier this year, debate has raged over possible solutions to stabilize oil and energy costs. Many people, including both our current congressman and the person he has endorsed to succeed him, are supporting the idea that we can drill our way out of the oil crisis. Those who are supporting the idea that drilling existing domestic oil reserves is the only solution to this most critical problem are being very short sighted and fail to recognize the huge potential of a domestic alternative energy industry.

The United States of America must lead a renewable and clean energy revolution that will diversify our energy sources while stressing the immediate development of domestically produced renewable fuel sources. We need to have the courage and commitment to put all options on the table and place the interests of our nation above partisan politics, corporate interests and undue influence from the traditional petroleum industry. Specifically, the petroleum industry must not be allowed to dictate our nation’s energy policies from this point forward.

If current leaders make the decision to allow drilling offshore or in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge then it should be mandated that all royalties, taxes and fees generated from the drilling be used strictly for investment in the research of domestically produced alternative fuel technology. If our nation is going to tap what is possibly the last remaining large oil reserves under United States control, then we must use the profits realized to research and secure future energy supplies for our children and grandchildren.

Not only would the strict commitment to an energy independence plan make our nation more secure, it would ignite a domestic economic expansion creating millions of new jobs and keeping billions of dollars here in the United States for further investment.

In order to achieve energy independence our nation must commit in a way it never has before. The only comparison I can think of is the commitment we made back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy challenged the nation to travel to the moon stating the following: “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.”.

I would not want to be accused of plagiarizing President Kennedy, but, if you change his words from “We choose to go to the moon” to, “We choose to achieve energy independence” - the rest of words fit. If we accept the challenge and begin moving towards energy independence now, within a decade our nation could again feel the sense of achievement and pride that we felt when we heard Neil Armstrong’s words “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind…”.


Upcoming Events for the Campaign:

The following fundraising events are scheduled:

Thursday July 17th – Clearfield
McCracken for Congress Dinner
5:30 to 7:30 PM – Lawrence Township Fire Company Social Hall – Mill Road Clearfield
Cost - $20 per person
Event catered by The Country Butcher – Door Prizes

Friday July 18th – Tioga County
McCracken for Congress Picnic
4-8 pm - Hills Creek State Park, Crabapple Pavilion
Cost - $10.00 per person, $18.00 per couple, $25.00 per Family
Hot Dogs, salads, desserts and water, iced tea and lemonade to be served.
RSVP – Ann Gazda

Sunday July 20th – Lock Haven – Clinton County
McCracken for Congress Dinner
3:30 to 5:30 PM – Sons of Italy Hall – Downtown Lock Haven
Cost - $20 per person.
After dinner, although not an official part of the campaign event, people are encouraged to take part in the concert held at the riverfront amphitheatre which will feature a performance from a band featuring classic rock. NOTE – bring lawn chairs in case the stands are filled.

Please contact mccrackenforcongress@verizon.net for additional details on the above events.


Campaign Events for the upcoming week: We will be busy this week with several dinners and parades to attend. Kelly, Amanda and I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July holiday (in spite of the high gas prices). Enjoy your time with family and friends because it is precious.


Mark B. McCracken
Your Candidate For Congress