An Urgent Appeal To President Obama

It is essential that you take charge of the Federal Government’s role in providing means and action to develop a master plan to end the dependency of all concerned on the hundred year old method of delivering electric power by above ground poles and wires. There is no other resource for ending this outmoded system. The work must begin now!

Today is the sixth day since the unexpected and powerful nor-easter and snowstorm of the 21st century descended on the East Coast of the United States creating unprecedented havoc for millions in cities, towns, villages, communities, as homes, businesses, public transportation and virtually all those dependent on electric power became helpless victims of a natural disaster unlike any prior event. Even at this moment, hundreds of thousands are still in the dark in Connecticut, New Jersey  and New York. The suffering should not be their future as well!

The size and scope of the problem demands direction and collaboration between  every power company in the United States and the Federal Government. It is as urgent as any action ever taken by elected officials, short of war. It follows the stupendous and successful Federal action in the Eisenhower administration to build a national network of highways to serve the country in times of peace, and to provide a means of fast and serviceable roads to move troops and equipment as, if, and when that might become necessary in the event of an enemy attack.

It is as audacious as the plan to put a man on the moon when President John F. Kennedy said it can be done, must be done, and that the Federal Government will make certain that it happens - within a time span of ten years! And we did it. 

Now is the time to galvanize the country with the most all encompassing plan to provide safety and security for all when the age old M.O. of delivering power be altered forever by burying the cables and wires that carry electricity. Every home, every business, every user of electricity that powers rail transportation will have the knowledge that no weather related activity can or will bring a shuddering halt to what has been taken for granted (erroneously for so many years! ).

For the record, it should be noted that the same pole  and steel structures that carry the wires and cables are essential to phone lines and cable TV as well. The master plan will enable entire industries to secure their ability to service their consumers. 

President Obama, this is not only an appeal to take the leadership role and appoint individuals to begin the huge task of planning, funding, and commencing a step by step, section by section areas for work to commence ASAP. It is a certainty that this effort to bring sanity to a chaotic system will jump start a return to employment for tens of thousand of individuals whose expertise and willingness   to be participants in this massive effort heralds a boost in the economy generally. It has all the elements to restore belief in America as the ‘can do’ country. It takes the heat off the growing protests that take shape as “Occupy Wall Street” or “The Tea Party” by showing our own citizens and the world at large that America is still the engine of progress and a country that can and does believe in its own ability to undertake any project that benefits mankind.

Finally, Mr. President, this is not something that might be ‘floated’ as an idea whose time has come. It should, and can, be hailed as a determination by this administration under your guidance that it can and will be done. Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy did not toy with their plans for forward action. They announced it as a fait accompli. You can do the same.

The  above Message to President Obama is a special edition of The Carlton ViewPoint, an online blog published twice monthly by Richard Carlton. This is Issue No.23, November 3, 2011.