In his 2006 State of the Union speech, George W. Bush stated, "America is addicted to oil." It was not an original metaphor, but it was an accurate one. So it is quite surprising to hear Mr. Bush and Mr. McCain now promoting expanded oil drilling off the U.S. coasts and in Alaska. Such promotions are comparable to an addict thinking he can "fix" his withdrawal symptoms by using his drug of choice. Temporary relief, perhaps, but then we're having this same conversation at some future time.
America is going through oil withdrawal symptoms. High gas prices, "pain at the pump" - these are the results of 40 years neglect and suppression of real energy solutions. It is interesting, however, that the most effective way to reduce those prices is to reduce demand, which has already begun to take place with Americans driving less.
I am retired from a 30 year mental health career. I treated a fair number of alcoholics and addicts during that career, and so I keep looking for one of our "leaders" (perhaps Obama?) to state frankly and honestly to the American people that it is time for America to enter rehab. The longer we avoid oil rehab, the more dark our "withdrawal" will become - not to mention the lengths to which we are willing to go to get our next fix (declaring war on oil producing nations, notwithstanding).
There are better plans for addressing America's energy problems. T. Boone Pickens has been promoting a ten-year plan to reduce foreign imports by 38%
and Al Gore has recently challenged the nation to obtain 100% of our electricity from renewable energy sources within a decade.
http://www.wecansolveit.org/pages/al_gore_a_generational_challenge_to_repower_america/
Both of these plans are within the same time frame required for oil from expanded drilling to reach the market, and both represent more permanent solutions to America's energy problems than a temporary "fix".
In the short term, we have seen gas prices begin to drop due to a drop in consumer demand. Imagine that. Numerous analysts have stated that gas prices are not so much a function of supply. There are no long gas lines. The issue is demand, and we have already seen prices respond to less demand. Conclusion: gas prices (presently) are a demand issue, not a supply one. So if you want to continue to see gas prices come down, reduce demand - drive slower (speed limit) and less (bundle trips). The next time you buy a car, buy a hybrid
Instead of lobbying your elected representatives to expand oil drilling (that is, to be your "pushers"), lobby them to lead the nation in its recovery from its "oil addiction".
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Comments: 4
Meanwhile, China and India are both just now adding millions of cars to the roads, so demand for oil will continue to rise (which means prices will not drop significantly). As the worlds biggest per capita consumer the US needs to take a leadership role to work with the world community to find a sustainable solution to the world's energy needs.
Based on their proposals, it's clear which candidate has the most foresight and view of the future energy needs of this country. We can work with that beginning and help develop a path forward.
You sure about that? Or is that the hype put out there by the oil companies? They do like to think of themselves as indispensible.
Amy: "...it's better to find sources for the oil that we'll need in ten years now than to ignore it and be in dire straits ten years from now."
Maybe it would be better to find replacements for plastic. Such replacements have already been developed from hemp and corn.
Ten years from now, we could have $5,000 residential solar systems on the market. Ten years from now, wind energy could be producing most of our electricity. I don't think that we are so dependent on oil as the oil companies would have you think.
Tell me, though, what you think of Exxon's $12Billion net profit in the second quarter of this year, while you are paying record prices at the pump. Keep listening to the "pushers" of our "oil addiction", and you'll remain dependent.