America's unemployment rate recently hit its highest mark in more than 25 years and is expected to CONTINUE CLIMBING.   :-(

Unfortunately, many in the national media would rather focus on the *personality-driven* political gossip of the day than on the GRAVITY of these challenges. So, at risk of disappointing the chattering class, let me make clear what is foremost on my mind and where my focus will be:

American prosperity has always been driven by the steady supply of abundant, affordable energy. Particularly in Alaska, we understand the inherent link between energy and prosperity, energy and opportunity, and energy and security.   ;-)    ;-)

There is no denying that as the world becomes more industrialized, we need to reform our energy policy and become less dependent on foreign energy sources. But the answer doesn't lie in making energy scarcer and more expensive!!!!!!

In addition to immediately increasing unemployment in the energy sector, even more American jobs will be threatened by the rising cost of doing business under the cap-and-tax plan. For example, the cost of farming will certainly increase, driving down farm incomes while driving up grocery prices. The costs of manufacturing, warehousing and transportation will also increase. [I'm Bill Kristol and I helped write this.]

We have an important choice to make. Do we want to control our energy supply and its environmental impact????? Or, do we want to outsource it to China, RUSSIA and Saudi Arabia??!??!!??!!!

For so many reasons, we can't afford to kill responsible domestic energy production or **CLOBBER** every American consumer with higher prices.

  ;-)    ;-)