One of the things John McCain has been mocking Barack Obama for is his statement several weeks back that one of the things "we" can all do to reduce oil consumption is keep our tires properly inflated.  He's had great fun at Obama's expense, even going so far as to hand out tire gauges to his press corp emblazoned with the words, Obama's Energy Plan.

There are two problems with McCain's actions.

First off, we really would save a LOT of oil if each of us kept our tires inflated appropriately.  How much?  A billion gallons of fuel each year according to the General Accounting Office.

Second, Obama's energy plan is bold, comprehensive, focused on the future of our energy production (rather than on milking every last dollar out of fossil fuels).  Take a look for yourself.

But even Obama's plan is conservative compared to the bold proposal made recently by former Vice President Al Gore.  (Click here to hear it.)  Gore observes that "we're borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the planet"--in other words our economic, national security, fuel cost and environmental issues are inextricably intertwined.  Then Gore puts out the challenge of making America's electricity 100% from clean and renewable energy sources in 10 years.

I think Gore's right in his analysis of the problem.  I like the bold challenge because it calls on Americans to be entrepreneurial in their approach and because it makes clear that policies dependent on "more of the same" are not sufficient.

The truth is, we need both.  Stretch goals that produce innovation and paradigm shift.  And small, personal actions in the interim to reduce consumption and carbon emissions.   

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