Next, I would like to explain and/or question the listed bullet points:

• “A presidential “energy brain trust,” similar to Franklin Roosevelt’s War Production Board.”

Of course, turn it all over to the central government because it is made up of individuals smarter and more motivated than the average serf. Does anyone remember by which branch of government the Wright brothers, Alexander Bell, Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, Nikola Tesla, Henry Ford, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Jonas Salk, Albert Einstein, Guglielmo Marconi, etc. were employed?

• “Empowering the Secretary of Energy with foreign relations responsibilities: Hoffert noted that our energy security, and the environmental challenges which accompany our present course, are global in nature, and require a Secretary of Energy to look beyond the domestic picture.”

Naturally, global socialization is the only answer. The United States is incapable of achieving the necessary results on its own. Never mind that nearly every invention worth mentioning originated in the US.

• “A national summit of the nation’s top scientists on energy technology, with the specific goal of breaking down narrow disciplinary boundaries; rather, put all of the county’s best minds to work, together, on a common goal of revolutionary change in our energy use and infrastructure.”

Repeat reply to #1, and ask why limit the summit to this nation’s top scientists in light of #2’s global implications? Also ask if Dr. Heidi Cullen will have oversight to exclude any scientists who question the legitimacy of AGW; or as it is now called, “climate change”?

• “A focused discussion on the merits and drawbacks of centralized and distributed energy grids.”

This question was answered about a hundred years ago when Westinghouse’s alternating current electric energy distribution grid wiped Edison’s direct current electric energy centralized utilities off the map. DC is not without its merits, but historically transmitting it over great distances has been problematic. Too bad they destroyed Tesla’s energy transmitting antennas because they could not figure out how to meter the end user and thought the Nazi’s had interest in the technology.

As far as putting the burden of making such changes on the Chief Executive, the duties fall outside those enumerated by The Constitution of the United States. Of course, that does not stop our elected officials from participating in the federalization of the “free market” vis-à-vis the bailout being proposed to solve the current government induced “financial crisis” mentioned in Jeff’s post. Having the government mandate that adjustable rate mortgage loans be made to people with poor credit and little ability to pay such a debt makes perfect sense, right? Naturally, when the chickens of such a policy “come home to roost”, it’s the taxpaying few who are asked to cover the costs.

In light of another government sponsored boondoggle, shouldn’t the question be, “Do we want to continue putting our trust in candidates that only make empty promises?” Oh wait, those have been our only two choices since 1988. I guess we do.