Thus we support other countries' economies while our own stagnates. Beyond that, these "other countries" (OPEC, Russia) price oil in a predatory range to enrich themselves while damaging all Western economies who remain dependent on their oil.
A few (of many) reasons why you should be concerned: What if IRAN blocks the Strait if Hormuz? - What if Venezuela and Nigeria stop exporting oil to the U.S? - What if Russia cuts off parts of Europe from oil and natural gas? - Put a more personal way, what if you lose you income and your pension?
If the prior paragraphs don't grab you, then.......keep reading.
We don't produce enough of our own oil and other obvious sources of U.S.-based energy for ONE reason only: the U.S. House of Representatives wont ALLOW us to drill? Who works for whom:
- Drill offshore WHEREVER there is known oil reserve. - Build non-polluting nuclear generators to fuel our cities. - Refine our own oil. - Process coal for clean oil. - Extract oil from shale. We have vast reserves of natural gas which can readily be compressed and used to fuel vehicles. - Lead the world in geothermal harnessing. - As the market demands, develop wind, solar, hybrids, etc.
It is pathetic to hear a pundit say, "THAT will take 10 years" and use THAT as an excuse for not STARTING now. This derelict action by the House affects you personally ($4/gallon gas), and our Economy (stunted by lost jobs and more costly delivery of goods and services; not to mention the shaky grounds our financial institutions are resting on!).
I'm sure you understand this straightforward logic. If you do:
- Phone your congressman and tell him/her that if they want to be re-elected in November they WILL eliminate ALL obstacles to development of our own energy, without earmarks or any other contingencies. This is the most powerful thing we can do. There are reasons why the House and Senate are reviled by the voting public. (Behind closed doors we're referred to as the Great Unwashed.)
Remember that statistics reveal that for every one phone or e-mail contact our representatives know that there are at least one hundred people who feel the same way but didn't take time to contact them. DO NOT assume that you don't count. YOU DO!
You have it in your control to cut your gas costs in half-today!
Copyright (c) 2008 David P Jensen
The jump in fuel prices rivals the sub-prime lending problem in how our overall economy is affected.Interestingly,BOTH problems have at their source malicious inaction by the US House of Representatives.According to a growing group of Western World economists,the following discussion should be studied by every American.
BACKGROUND: As everyone knows, water is represented by the symbol H2O. What this means is that each water molecule is comprised of 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom. Water in its natural state will douse a spark. By applying the simple principle of electrolysis, the hydrogen and oxygen atoms are separated into gaseous form from the water molecule, H2O. Of these atoms, hydrogen gas is extremely combustible and oxygen is the perfect catalyst. The only result of combining hydrogen and oxygen, other than energy of course, is H2O in the form of steam,which is water in gas state!, WATER! This means it is perfectly clean. This first step toward a water-powered vehicle exists and today it can be used by you to decrease your fuel costs by 50% or more.
PERCEPTION: Energy speculators (aka investors), recognizing America's commitment, promptly sell "call", and buy "put" option contracts, driving the commodity price of a barrel of oil from $100 to less than $50! This would occur almost immediately and well before new energy resources could be on line.
THEN: Our gas/diesel price would drop to less than $2/gallon and the cost of food, air travel, and anything that is reliant on transportation, would decrease. Once the U.S. becomes energy independent,we would transition from #1 importer of oil to becoming a net exporter of energy. Then, as a singular result of the U.S. no longer being the biggest importer/consumer of oil, the rest of the world would be paying less for their energy needs by not having to compete with the U.S. Further, the U.S. could then supply our European friends and put a stop to Russian blackmail.
Congress, under the control of the Speaker, is thus affecting not just the U.S. but the entire world economy!
What can YOU do? Write your congressman and tell him/her to take the following actions to solve the energy problems if they want to be re-elected!
1.Begin drilling for oil off-shore and in ANWAR 2.Build refineries as indicated by the market 3.Process coal to produce clean coal oil 4.Begin the construction of at least 50 nuclear power plants 5.Perfect the process of extracting oil from shale in the Rocky Mountain states 6.Research and improve solar-powered energy where possible 7.Install Wind Power generators where practicable 8.Design/manufacture more fuel-efficient vehicles using CNG immediately, as determined by market forces 9.Conserve energy responsibly 10.With these energy innovations, develop the cost-effective technology to extract potable water from the oceans to simplify the methodology for use wherever in the world it's needed.
Always keep in the front of your thinking that a fair and correct combination of the listed points above can only be determined by the Free Market, not by a planned economy, otherwise known as a Socialist State.
Almost as a side benefit,U.S. employment in high- paying jobs will increase dramatically in the energy sector,as well as in related sectors. It has been suggested that such technical advancements, coupled with the necessary employment, would exceed that of the depression-era WPA. The moon landing was a phenomenal technical achievement;particularly given the early state of computers.This development of various energy resources will not only utilise advanced computer technology but will have a positive effect on ALL segments of society...another time when America banded together with our famous "Can Do" attitude.
David P Jensen has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Cars and Advertising Guide. Dave Jensen holds a Economics and is also an Engineer. Read his other articles for more information.The US is in a faltering economy for a host of reasons: jobs lost oversea. David P Jensen's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.