Peace through strength.
We can drill and refine enough to be largely independent of foreign oil.
I don't think we can, although I'm not too educated on the topic. However, I think a combination of things can help us achieve true energy independence.
I'm going to go slightly off topic here- one of my big concerns is that we are too dependent on other countries in many areas, not just energy. Take manufacturing, for example. I don't know if it's possible to buy American for many things. I do make a concerted effort to do so when possible. I also try to support local businesses. I own an American made car (a 1999 Dodge Avenger I bought used for $1700). I will never own an import. I am a member of a small credit union instead of a customer of a large national or international bank.
However, many things I buy are made in other countries. For example, my bass guitar was made in Indonesia. It's a decent instrument. It set me back $300. For an American-made bass from the same company I'd be looking at a price tag exceeding $1000. I'd get better quality, but there's more than that which causes the price difference. A large part of it is manufacturing costs. I don't want to lower the cost the standard of living for American manufacturing workers, but I also don't want to lose access to lower-priced consumer goods. Bring manufacturing jobs back to America would raise costs, but it would also produce an economic stimulus that would help offset that.
I think people underestimate the national security risks of being dependent on other nations for manufacturing an energy. If our relations with China made a turn for the worse, we would be in a very bad position because of the face that so much of our stuff is made there.
