Redstate

By ntrepid Posted in Energy — Comments (3) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

This is most likely way out of context but I recently read something where the author was stressing the importance of the ability (and I’ll add desire) to see the world clearly and then to draw the correct conclusions from that information.

That line of thought emerged from my memory banks yesterday and my heart warmed as I heard a Fox News Channel Market/Stock-type talking-head nearly come to tears while she lamented that we (the United States) have not taken important steps to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by maximizing drilling here at home.

Wait a minute…that’s not what she said.

Unfortunately, she was really quite adamant that we (the United States) need to increase gas taxes “to the hilt”…presumably to encourage and immediate reduction in our (the United States) demand for that vile substance because, all together now, WE ARE ADDICTED TO OIL.

Those last five words are absolutely true but absolute clarity on the subject requires a step back to look at it from an even larger perspective. (Brace yourself.) The world…the entire civilized world as well as great portions that remain uncivilized…is addicted to our consumption of oil. And, unfortunately for the “addicted to foreign oil”-chicken little’s and Fox News talking heads out there, this is not going to change in any meaningful way for at least another 50-75 years. Probably much longer.

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The truth is nothing has been more vital to expanding and improving world economies and the overall human existence over seven or eight generations than American consumption of oil. From the technology developments that have modernized the western world to healthcare improvements that now benefit even the most backwards corners of the planet, more humans are living longer and better lives…and more humans are living period thanks to the economic engine that consumes that oil. World population has grown by 400% since the mid-1800s…and I’ll give you one guess as to which country does more to feed, medicate, and support more humans outside its own borders than the rest of them combined. (OK, I don’t know that for a fact but it can’t be far from the truth.)

And don’t forget, those “foreign sources” are just as addicted to us buying their oil as we are to consuming it.

As a little perspective from my little part of the world, I always enjoy meetings at work where management insists that the technical staff provide a time and date for when they will invent the next revolutionary technical breakthrough and then assign a non-technical tracker (MS Project expert) to hound the technical staff daily to ensure that that miracle does indeed occur on schedule. The concept of the “scheduled miracle” is a priceless concept that is corporate America at its…well, funniest.

At my job, these kinds of games may have career limiting effects…but they are much more dangerous on the world stage. Playing games with tax policy and untapped reserves and technologies may spur investment in development activities for alternative energy sources but will also have long ranging impacts…probably more negative than positive…on peoples lives. Intentionally damaging our current economy in speculation of some distant future (and, oh yes, undefined) cure-all is a deadly societal wager.

I liken it to the lone hiker a couple of years ago that had to cut his own arm off to free himself from under a rock…once he drew blood, he needed a miracle and he was on the clock. In 2008 America we are not trapped under a rock and cutting an arm off of our own economy is not necessary.

The simple fact is we will be an oil-based economy for many generations to come and we will be dependent on foreign sources of that resource to some extent for the duration. We really need to stop clouding the issue with mythical distractions like global warming and overly optimistic concepts like energy independence. Properly focused, steps could be taken now to MINIMIZE the dependence on foreign sources of oil in the near term (20-40 years) through domestic drilling and nuclear power (while taking reasonable measures regarding the environment and conservation) while waiting for alternative sources and technologies to emerge on their own time…as dictated by nature and the free market. (And nobody needs to cry and scream about “Mass Transportation” during Saturday morning programming on the Fox network.)

So, in short, slow down and take a deep breath. Doing anything “to the hilt” at this point in time would be a mistake of global proportions…literally. The world is not going to run out of oil for quite some time and tyrannical greed throughout the world will ensure that a seller will always be available. The prices may fluctuate more than we like but the United States will adapt…the world requires American consumption of oil for its own good.

Now, back to diaper changing duty. Happy Mother’s Day.

Ntrepid
Proud Member for 3 years 33 weeks