What I wish President Biden's message would be:

[Ron Green]

“Fossil fuel is too cheap, and we use too much of it. This situation has developed over many decades, and in our striving for happiness we have made an unhappy world.

“Now is the time for Americans to lead, not in military power or consumption of goods, but in the courage to bring our lives into better balance with our only home, the earth. Making more people into billionaires will not accomplish this; we must continue to build communities that care for each of us and all of us.”

If a president is restricted to speaking in platitudes, it seems he ought to say something like this rather than pandering to people’s wishes for cheap gas and groceries.

[usonian]

1. The situation is hastening conversion from fossil fuels, yes.

The near-term goal is to keep the country and most people solvent (pun not intended) and prevent societal breakdown, arguably a goal of oligarchs and the usual cast of thugs.

How does he do that?

Enter the usual "If I were President" suggestions.
I can't think of any other than using those awfully expanded executive powers that Bush and company fostered.

I see it as a national emergency, ESPECIALLY if one has any thought at all that it's deliberate (for any number of reasons, all bad)

How that's expressed or done is unfortunately above my pay grade right now.

[Ron Green]

2. I believe that conversion from oil is not enough.

We have to actually question economic growth. Biden’s presidential message could point in this transformative direction, and he’d be roundly condemned for it, but why not do the right thing?

[usonian]

3. Yes, that's a bigger question, and relates to climate change and capitalism.

I think he'll be much better able to address these when he gets two more senators on his side.

He said as much.

I am OK in the short term with "whatever" gets him there, though I have been beating the drum for "messaging" on a more ethical than economic level.

I read "Small is Beautiful" and similar works long ago, and read all I could on solar power, back in the 60's, when it was prohibitively expensive, and oil companies were buying up every solar operation they could find. (to stuff in a file cabinet)

[Ron Green]

4. Yes - what we're talking about goes beyond partisan politics,

and this website is dedicated to the idea that one party can save us from the other; so it’s not even possible to say here what must be said (if we’re really exploring a human future.)

[pwb]

5. I am fighting back the only way I can

I am driving much less. Once a week I make a loop for things then I stay put.