@James –“solar panels require more energy to manufacture they they will ever generate!” may refer to the fact that without the various taxpayer-provided credits and rebates solar roof panels are generally too expensive for a large part of the market –at this point in time.
“I don’t want my tax dollars going to research alternative energy!” –I’ve never heard anyone at all say that, ever.
“…the Federal Government subsidizes our oil guzzling with more dollars per year of funding than all other forms of energy research combined” –i too want a gov’t, or private, or any combo of, solution –that statement imho needs a little tightening up –it sounds like the very jingo you deride. I’d quantify that “subsidy” and net it of taxes before quantifying those gov’t research inputs that you say total less than the net of subsidies less paid-in taxes, if i was trying to persuade. Plus the thread could use the links. if you have time & inclination, that is. Thanks in advance.