Speech on Oil Reduction

President Obama clearly stated in his speech that the US will reduce importing oil because gas prices are getting too high. He further stated that all large companies are now required to use fuel efficient vehicles. He is also aiming for puchasing only fuel efficient government cars and trucks by 2015. He is confident that "If we're going to upgrade all of America's fleets, our businesses need to step up, as well." This proposal seems like the Obama administration is reducing the oil imports because oil prices are too high; they are not doing it for improvements of the environment. In other words, what they care is a success in the economy, not improvements of the environment. I felt that the proposal is so selfcentered. Moreover, it is unrealistic to me because as far as i understand, you definitely need a car to go somewhere in the states. In DC because public transportation is quite good that we do not have to have cars for individuals. However, when I went to Florida, it was so inconvenient without the cars. The states is just too big that we need cars to go somewhere. Whereas Japan, which is almost same size as California state, has good public transportation. Although many of the households own cars, they do not use cars that often. People usually use bikes to go somewhere, or they walk and use public transportation. One of my friend, who is not Japanese, came to visit Japan one day, and she was surprised how people use bikes to go everywhere. I think the land of Japan is small compare to the states that it is possible for us to use bikes or walk to get to destination because everything is compressed. Hence, I feel that the proposal is too unrealistic, and he will definitely get oppositions especially from the large companies that use vehicles.