Energy and its rising price is an everyday struggle for Americans, whether it be heating for our homes or gasoline for our vehicles. America relies too strongly on foreign involvement for our energy, especially oil. Oil is on everyones mind here in America. I, myself, am a strong advocate for both offshore drilling as long as it's kept under diligent watch and control. I find it outright foolish and neglectful to ignore the current resources we hold along our coast. Offshore drilling would make the process of getting oil much smoother and cost efficient for America. Recent estimates by the United States Department of the Interior pertaining to our restricted offshore areas state that they hold "19.1 billion barrels of oil and 83.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas". This is the equivalent of thirty years' worth of imports from Saudi Arabia and enough gas to power American homes for seventeen years. Also note that these estimates are initial and probably low. Through drilling offshore, our energy costs would lessen benefiting the average American and our country as a whole. While energy and where it comes from is crucial to our nation's future, there's an even more important issues. Education will and has always undoubtedly molded our country's history.

    Education is of course an important issue in that it benefits our entire future directly. The students of today go on to become our leaders, whether they become doctors, engineers, or even the next president.Our education system has long been deemed flawed and ineffective. People like to go back to the schools to dump their problems and complaints. But blame should not only fall on the school but on the people as well. Parents can play a major role in their childrens education. Education is an issue which as of yet has not had any major work or progress done towards it. I believe it would help a great deal if parents took a more active role in their students school life. This could be made possible through many incentives and programs. I also believe that school should be more engaging and be more than just a bubble-in test and the end of the year. Many students drop out because they feel bored and disengaged in school, as if they are wasting their time. More activies and student involvement would create a better general approvement of school among children. Education while not as gripping and immediate as other issues still plays a major role in the United States as it shapes our future leaders, workers, and people. As such, I implore you to please attempt to revamp our current educational system. I'd like for my children and my fellow Americans to live in a country of intellectual development.

   America is in a time of awkward foreign relations. Instead of diverting focusing to our foreign policy, I'd like you to take a good look at the country we live in today. As President, you will be faced with a multitude of decisions which will altar our very lifestyles. I ask you now to weight your options with careful consideration. Education and energy are both gripping issues which affect not only our future but our everyday lifes, and as our next president, I'm sure you will not stray from your duties but have the American citizen's best interests at heart.