What Energy Policy?
Hello again reader. I trust everyone is slowly going bankrupt buying gas for your SUV.
Today's post concerns the current spike in US gas prices and a report published today by Reuters.
I have been reading the news again (always a bad sign) and came across a report published by Reuters entitled "Americans at 'tipping point' about energy-poll". The report, written by Lisa Lambert, states that in a poll of 1000 Americans conducted by Public Agenda Confidence, nearly half of those surveyed gave the government a failing grade when it comes to weaning the US off of foreign oil. It also stated that 90% of those surveyed thought that US foreign oil dependence was a threat to national security. The poll also found that 85% believe that the government could do something about foreign oil dependence if they (the gov't) really wanted to. It also found that those worried that foreign conflict could cut off the supply of oil to the US rose from 42% in August 2005 to 55% currently. The report goes on to say that Americans are now as concerned about the issue of foreign oil dependency as they are about the war in Iraq. The report defines the "tipping point" as being when the public is "...gravely concerned about an issue and believes the government has the ability to change matters."
So, what does all this mean? What it means is that the American public is finally getting pissed off enough to start demanding action on the issue from the government. It also means that the current US energy policy is a miserable failure.
The energy policy, combined with the hurricane-related production problems, and the White House's inability to figure out that if you piss off all of the Arabs they might stop sending us oil (or at least may raise the price), has lead to a current (as of today) pump price of $2.51 for regular unleaded (Nat'l Avg., Source: AAA). When you combine all of that with the fact that the government's inaction on the problem has allowed the oil companies, through a program of flimsy excuses and price gouging, to make record profits, you begin to see why the public is regarding this as a problem worth getting angry about.
Will this public outcry cause the government to do anything about oil? No, absolutely not. The Bush Energy Policy, designed specifically to enrich Bush and Cheney's oil buddies and impoverish the American public, does not begin do enough to encourage domestic exploration for oil, let alone encourage the development of viable oil alternatives. In short, Bush's Energy Policy is one of retaining the status quo at the expense of destroying the economy and impoverishing the average American.
Can the US break free of foreign oil dependence? The answer is a resounding "yes". However, the solution to breaking free of foreign oil will take a somewhat radical change in governmental policy and the public's attitudes regarding conservation. First, the government would need to stop being big oil's "bitch" and start enforcing existing laws regarding deceptive business practices and price gouging. Once that is done, then the government would need to start encouraging or "incentivising" the development of alternative fuels. From there, the government would need to encourage the American public to change their attitude when it comes to things like conservation and hybrid vehicles. Without a change of attitude on the part of the American public, all the governmental policies in the world will not change the current situation. However, without the government encouraging that change of attitude, the American public will continue to drive SUVs and complain about oil prices rising and then wonder why. Finally, we all need to realize that as long as big oil continues to control its puppet in the White House, NONE of these changes will take place.
So, how do we change? 1. Get rid of Bush and his big oil friendly policies. 2. Call your Senator and Representative and demand to talk to him or her directly (remember, they work for you, and you can demand to talk to them) and tell them to promote a consumer friendly energy policy (as opposed to the current policy). 3. Trade in the Escalade or Navigator and get a hybrid (Lexus even has a hybrid SUV now!). And 4. Start to practice good oil conserving techniques (you can find these by Googling "Conserving oil" or similar)
If you start doing these things, not only will oil prices begin to come down, but you may also start to see side benefits such as cleaner air (eliminating the need for emissions testing in your area), and more spending money in your pocket!
I am Chuck and if you don't want to change your attitude toward oil conservation, then don't bitch about the price at the pump!
Today's post concerns the current spike in US gas prices and a report published today by Reuters.
I have been reading the news again (always a bad sign) and came across a report published by Reuters entitled "Americans at 'tipping point' about energy-poll". The report, written by Lisa Lambert, states that in a poll of 1000 Americans conducted by Public Agenda Confidence, nearly half of those surveyed gave the government a failing grade when it comes to weaning the US off of foreign oil. It also stated that 90% of those surveyed thought that US foreign oil dependence was a threat to national security. The poll also found that 85% believe that the government could do something about foreign oil dependence if they (the gov't) really wanted to. It also found that those worried that foreign conflict could cut off the supply of oil to the US rose from 42% in August 2005 to 55% currently. The report goes on to say that Americans are now as concerned about the issue of foreign oil dependency as they are about the war in Iraq. The report defines the "tipping point" as being when the public is "...gravely concerned about an issue and believes the government has the ability to change matters."
So, what does all this mean? What it means is that the American public is finally getting pissed off enough to start demanding action on the issue from the government. It also means that the current US energy policy is a miserable failure.
The energy policy, combined with the hurricane-related production problems, and the White House's inability to figure out that if you piss off all of the Arabs they might stop sending us oil (or at least may raise the price), has lead to a current (as of today) pump price of $2.51 for regular unleaded (Nat'l Avg., Source: AAA). When you combine all of that with the fact that the government's inaction on the problem has allowed the oil companies, through a program of flimsy excuses and price gouging, to make record profits, you begin to see why the public is regarding this as a problem worth getting angry about.
Will this public outcry cause the government to do anything about oil? No, absolutely not. The Bush Energy Policy, designed specifically to enrich Bush and Cheney's oil buddies and impoverish the American public, does not begin do enough to encourage domestic exploration for oil, let alone encourage the development of viable oil alternatives. In short, Bush's Energy Policy is one of retaining the status quo at the expense of destroying the economy and impoverishing the average American.
Can the US break free of foreign oil dependence? The answer is a resounding "yes". However, the solution to breaking free of foreign oil will take a somewhat radical change in governmental policy and the public's attitudes regarding conservation. First, the government would need to stop being big oil's "bitch" and start enforcing existing laws regarding deceptive business practices and price gouging. Once that is done, then the government would need to start encouraging or "incentivising" the development of alternative fuels. From there, the government would need to encourage the American public to change their attitude when it comes to things like conservation and hybrid vehicles. Without a change of attitude on the part of the American public, all the governmental policies in the world will not change the current situation. However, without the government encouraging that change of attitude, the American public will continue to drive SUVs and complain about oil prices rising and then wonder why. Finally, we all need to realize that as long as big oil continues to control its puppet in the White House, NONE of these changes will take place.
So, how do we change? 1. Get rid of Bush and his big oil friendly policies. 2. Call your Senator and Representative and demand to talk to him or her directly (remember, they work for you, and you can demand to talk to them) and tell them to promote a consumer friendly energy policy (as opposed to the current policy). 3. Trade in the Escalade or Navigator and get a hybrid (Lexus even has a hybrid SUV now!). And 4. Start to practice good oil conserving techniques (you can find these by Googling "Conserving oil" or similar)
If you start doing these things, not only will oil prices begin to come down, but you may also start to see side benefits such as cleaner air (eliminating the need for emissions testing in your area), and more spending money in your pocket!
I am Chuck and if you don't want to change your attitude toward oil conservation, then don't bitch about the price at the pump!
posted by Chuck | 08:30
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