To the Editor:

Notice how Gov. Mitt Romney’s plan is for "North American energy independence" (amm.com, Aug. 27). It’s a subtle qualification intended to imply, basically, that "Drill, Baby, Drill" will work for the United States. But achieving that independence means the United States can import oil from Mexico and Canada (via the Keystone XL pipeline, of course) and still have achieved "independence" without importing from oil-rich regions "abroad." Of course, it depends on which definition of "abroad" you choose to use: "in or to a foreign country or countries" (which Romney clearly is not trying to use) or "in or to another continent" (the convenient use of which manages to cover foreign oil from Mexico and Canada).

It’s a disingenuous distinction meant to disguise the fact that the United States, with 3 percent of the world’s oil reserves but almost 20 percent of the world’s oil consumption, cannot really achieve "energy independence" in the sense implied—but it sure looks and sounds good to those who aren’t acquainted with the reality of oil production and consumption.

And I’d like to see the source that says 3 million new jobs—especially the 1 million in manufacturing—will be created. The caveat "potentially to be created" is thrown in later. Well, hell, potentially 30 million or 130 million new jobs could be created—pick a number, any number, anything that sounds good to the crowd.

In the meantime, let me know when Romney comes up with something more than a delectable, crowd-pleasing sound bite. And while you’re at it, if you hear of anything substantive from the Obama administration, I’d love to see that, too. I won’t hold my breath waiting, though. It’s campaign season, and hot air, smoke and mirrors and self-serving blurbs are the order of the day.