July 5, 2005
New York - American Jewish Committee Executive Director David A. Harris, in his national radio message this week, urges political leaders, Republicans and Democrats, to take action to reduce America's dependence on imported oil.
"It's about national security. It's about leadership," says Harris. "If we have the will, we can deal with the problem. What we can't do any longer, though, is live in denial."
Harris's biweekly 60-second commentaries on current topics of concern air on more than 400 stations across the country before the Charles Osgood commentary, the Osgood File. All AJC commentaries are available at www.ajc.org.
The following is the full text of this week's commentary:
Many of us are taking to the road this summer.
It's the right time to think about our nation's energy policy.
Put bluntly, we've got a problem. We're dependent on imported oil, much of it from countries that aren't exactly our friends.
As the price of gas soars, our petrodollars are flowing to places that support terrorists, repress women, and despise our religious freedom.
We need to do something about this. Our security depends on it. And our economy isn't helped by this vast outflow of funds, either.
Other countries aren't sitting still. A recent New York Times article spoke of Japan's efforts to become far more fuel efficient. Meanwhile, the U.S., the world's largest energy consumer, is lagging behind, the same article reported.
We need Republicans and Democrats to work together. After all, this isn't about partisan politics. It's about national security. It's about leadership.
If we have the will, we can deal with the problem. What we can't do any longer, though, is live in denial.
This is David Harris of the American Jewish Committee.
Contact: Kenneth Bandler (212) 891-6771 [email protected]
Lisa Fingeret Roth (212) 891-1385 [email protected]
