I was happy to hear that you have decided to withdraw from public life as governor of the State of Alaska. I sincerely hope you continue on this path and remove yourself from politics altogether.

While I can safely observe your course of service to that state was useful and not particularly controvercial this does not mean that similar service at a national level would suit you.

First of all, your opinion that you and your family have been made objects of derision by many in the media is valid. I have to point out honestly that more people identifiy with the ironic stance of David Letterman than they do with media conservatives that you have aligned yourself with in the past. The conservative Republican party is a wasting asset that cannot clear itself of scandals and hypocracy; this is not a group that can do you any good at all.

Secondly, the nature of politics is changing. Previous to the last election, the concept or ‘Meme’ of politics has been similar to a celebrity ‘reality’ television show like ‘Dancing With The Stars’.

In these shows, there is a winner chosen at the end of the series. During it, there is much sturm and drang about minor, personal issues like clothes and demeanor. The winning of the show is all that matters, afterwards the winner does nothing and is finished! He or she is soon replaced from the next round of contestants … or by the cancellation of the show.

President Obama is now the current ‘celebrity winner’ and his success cannot be grudged by anyone. He represents America’s last ‘Feel- good Moment About Itself’. As for his expectations of following the usual winners’ strategy of doing nothing post- election except to posture … the political seas are shifting beneath his feet. His show has been cancelled. It has been replaced by a show that most people cannot hope to imagine. A ‘reality’ show with real reality in it. It does not have a title but it could be called, “The Post- Peak Oil Show”.

It’s going to be real killer!

Obama is very intelligent. He must know that the tools that he possesses both internally and within the reach of government do not extend his grasp sufficiently to address the spiralling web of energy and climate- related problems.

Consider that Obama’s Presidency and the governorships are basically placeholders transitioning between a more celebrity form of politics to a more relentlessly dangerous form. The current office- holders’ tool kits are inadequate. The next posse of political applicants will need to be extraordinarily hard headed, knowledgeable, and disciplined. They will have to be creative enough to invent a new set of management tools and do so ‘on the fly’. They will have to be knowledgeable about foreign affairs, science, military policy, energy and how the American civilization needs to evolve.

The next round of politicians have to be artists, in other words. No more business as usual.

The incoming cast of leaders will have to take on directly these problems:

– Overpopulation both in the US and the world.

– Shrinking world- wide food production.

– The relentless decline of overall fossil fuel energy production.

– The poisonous influence of religion in the US government.

– The more poisonous influence of corporations in government- and the accompanying corruption and conflicts of interest.

– Water and fertilizer shortages.

– Utility breakdowns and a loss of basic services for extended periods.

– Floods, droughts and other natural disasters.

– The collapse of the industrial economy because of input costs that exceed the returns of industry.

– Foreign threats to common resources.

– The first significant effects of climate change.

New governments will have to retreat from supporting a consumer- based economy and society. You have to ask yourself if you have the type of personality that would withstand the criticism that would accompany removing Americans from their automobiles?

This, and other challenges will be part of day to day governance in this country … if governance at all is possible.

Keep in mind by 2012:

– The US government will be bankrupt.

– The US dollar will be worthless.

– People will not trust the governments not to steal their homes, their food or their means to support themselves.

– Corporations and wealthy individuals will establish private ‘States within the State’. This will undermine the nation- state.

– There will be high levels of unemployment.

– There will be a high level of public outrage directed against governments.

– Finding revenues to allow government functions will be difficult.

– There will be divisions in the country, within the military and between diverse social groups. Americans are not practiced at adversity. There is the possibilty for violence and a breakdown of order. Again, the tools to manage this are inadequate and are dependent upon cheap, plentiful fossil fuel energy.

I’m glad you have decided to take the first step away from having to demonstrate in real time that you are less capable of managing these kinds of difficult problems than current national politicians. Perhaps, nobody can manage these problems. America is at a crossroads. We have consumed ourselves to the edge of a precipice. This is not your personal responsibility.

What is your responsibility is look to your family and friends. They will need you and unlike the American public they will appreciate your efforts.

In closing, good luck on your post- political endeavors.