US Presidency
1977

For them to pass an effective and fair plan, they will need your support and your understanding, your support to resist pressures from a few for special favors at the expense of the rest of us and your understanding that there can be no effective plan without some sacrifice from all of us. Tonight, at this crucial time, I want to emphasize why it is so important that we have an energy plan and what we will risk, as a nation, if we are timid or reluctant to face this challenge. It's crucial that you understand how serious this challenge is. With every passing month, our energy problems have grown worse. This summer we used more oil and gasoline than ever before in our history. More of our oil is coming from foreign countries. Just since April, our oil imports have cost us $ 23 billion, about $ 350 worth of foreign oil for the average American family. A few weeks ago, in Detroit, an unemployed steelworker told me something that may reflect the feelings of many of you. Mr.