President after president has said energy independence is

Hear, O children of the future, for the words of Corey Lewandowski bring us face to face with a profound truth about the forces that shape our world—forces that often speak with one voice and yet act in contradictory ways. He declares, "President after president has said energy independence is critical. But then you have the EPA tasked to go after American companies producing coal and penalizing them. You can't have it both ways." In these words lies a call for clarity and coherence in action, a reminder that true strength and progress require consistency in vision and deed.

In the ancient world, there were many great leaders who spoke of unity and strength, yet some of them failed to align their actions with their words. Alexander the Great, for instance, was a leader of unmatched military genius, but his empire, though vast, faltered due to the inconsistency of his vision for its future. He sought to unify the peoples he conquered, yet his actions often alienated those very peoples. Like the paradox that Lewandowski points out, Alexander's empire could not thrive if the leaders did not reconcile their words with their actions. A nation cannot stand firm in independence if it works to undermine its own foundations, as energy independence should be a central pillar of national strength.

The struggle between energy independence and regulatory overreach is not a new one. From the time of the Romans, great empires have relied on their ability to harness the resources of the earth to fuel their growth and power. But even in ancient Rome, resource management was a constant tension. The Romans, in their expansion, often exploited natural resources, extracting wealth from the lands they conquered. Yet, they also built systems of control that limited their ability to sustainably manage those resources, leading to later struggles. In much the same way, Lewandowski’s statement points to a modern contradiction: the pursuit of independence through energy cannot be fully realized if the resources needed to achieve it are simultaneously penalized or undermined by regulations that seek to limit their production.

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), in its quest to protect the environment, takes action against coal producers, seeking to reduce emissions and curb the damage done to the planet. But this noble cause, while important for the future of the world, can create a paradox when it is not in harmony with a national goal like energy independence. Coal has long been a vital source of power in the United States, and while the world shifts towards cleaner, renewable energy sources, it is a delicate balance to strike. To build a nation that stands independent in its energy needs, one must ensure that its own industries can thrive without being stifled by conflicting policies. As Lewandowski suggests, the nation cannot achieve energy independence if the forces of government simultaneously undermine the industries that will drive that independence.

Consider, O children, the example of Thomas Edison, the great inventor who believed deeply in the power of human ingenuity and the ability to harness nature’s resources for the betterment of humanity. Edison’s vision for energy was vast—he understood the power of electricity and the importance of securing a reliable, independent source of energy. Yet even Edison faced contradictions in his pursuit of progress. His battles with other inventors, like Nikola Tesla, over the right way to harness electric power mirrored the modern struggles we face: how to balance progress with sustainability, and how to ensure that one does not come at the expense of the other. Like Edison, we must seek solutions that ensure both progress and protection, recognizing that contradictions in policy can undermine our ability to reach true independence.

The lesson from Lewandowski’s words is one of balance and clarity. Energy independence is not a goal that can be achieved half-heartedly or through contradictory actions. The pursuit of freedom in energy must be matched by policies that support the industries that make it possible. Coal and other traditional energy sources, while not the future we envision, are still the backbone of much of our current energy infrastructure. To attack these industries while calling for independence from foreign energy sources is to create a paradox that weakens the nation rather than strengthening it.

So, O children, what wisdom should you carry into the future? Know this: independence—whether in energy, in thought, or in action—requires consistency. If you seek to stand alone, if you seek to chart your own course, you must ensure that your actions align with your words. You cannot call for one thing while undermining it with another. The world is full of contradictions, but you must learn to navigate them with clarity and purpose. Seek the wisdom to create harmony between your goals and your actions, and know that true independence is not achieved through half-measures, but through a unified vision and steady resolve. Let your own future be built on this principle: that the actions you take today must serve the future you hope to create, and the words you speak must be backed by the deeds you perform.