--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we [American nation] are only thinking…" description: "\"If we [American nation] are only thinking about tomorrow or the next day and not thinking about 10 years from now, we're not going to control our own e..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/544/barack-obama-17_built_if-we-american-nation-are-only-thinking_2170088.jpg" --- # If we \[American nation\] are only thinking about tomorrow… ![“If we [American nation] are only thinking about tomorrow or the next day and not thinking about 10 years from now, we're not going to control our own economic future, because China, Germany - they're making these [clean energy] investments. And I'm not going to cede those jobs of the future to…” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/544/barack-obama-17_built_if-we-american-nation-are-only-thinking_2170088.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/544/barack-obama-17_built_if-we-american-nation-are-only-thinking_2170088.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/544/barack-obama-17_built_if-we-american-nation-are-only-thinking_2170088.jpg) > “If we \[American nation\] are only thinking about tomorrow or the next day and not thinking about 10 years from now, we're not going to control our own economic future, because China, Germany - they're making these \[clean energy\] investments. And I'm not going to cede those jobs of the future to those countries. I expect those new energy sources to be built right here in the United States.” [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Short‑term thinking hinders long‑term economic control; other nations invest in clean energy, so the U.S. must act now to keep future jobs domestic. **In simple terms:** Thinking only tomorrow hurts future economic power; invest now to keep jobs. Key Takeaway Invest in clean energy now to secure future jobs. Themes economics energy policy future planning national competitiveness Mood determined optimistic Type policy motivational When to use this quote - government budgeting - private sector partnerships - state‑level clean‑energy projects Key Concepts sustainable development strategic investment industrial policy Questions to Reflect On - How can the U.S. accelerate clean‑energy investment? - What policies best protect future jobs? A Different Perspective Political opposition may delay funding and implementation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [China](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/china/) [Clean energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clean-energy/) [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Energy sources](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy-sources/) [Germany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/germany/) [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [Investment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investment/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [New energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-energy/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Tomorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tomorrow/) [United states](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-states/) ## Related quotes > [Governments must address inconsistencies in their energy strategies, consider the links with broader economic policies, and stop sending mixed signals to consumers, producers, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-angel-gurria/governments-must-address-inconsistencies-in-their-energy-strategies/) [Jose Angel Gurria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-angel-gurria/) > [Whether it is to reduce our carbon-dioxide emissions or to prepare for when the coal and oil run out, we have to continue to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/whether-it-is-to-reduce-our-carbon-dioxide-emissions-or-to-prepare/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [Whether fuel cell system development in central Oregon, wind power generation along the Columbia Gorge, or geothermal energy in southern Oregon, investing in new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-walden/whether-fuel-cell-system-development-in-central-oregon-wind-power/) [Greg Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-walden/) > [Most people think of solar and wind as new energy sources. 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