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“Energy” |
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We have according to scientists more than enough untapped oil,
gas and coal reserves to drive our economic engine well into the
next century and beyond. We deny its use whether off Florida and
the East Coast, Alaska, or the Federal / State lands of Middle
America for reasons of environment/habitat. We have a system so
politicized in Washington that neither side will give an inch
and has not for decades for fear of loss of advantage. The
environmentalists who I believe have become the Stalinist
Underground of the 1930’s now attack any solution with an
emotional fervor designed to subvert rational and reasonable
thinking as well as planning of solutions.
Capitalism is freedom in action putting God’s desires that man’s
needs would be met from the earth’s resources. A quick reading
of Genesis will confirm that and will also remind us to be good
stewards of the earth. We far more than any country or society
have accomplished stewardship as our freedom to advance
technology outside of government has progressed thru the 18th,
19th and 20th centuries. The days of wooden oil derricks in
Pennsylvania drilling a few hundred feet are long gone and today
we see the specter of four billion dollar oil platforms drilling
miles under the oceans or side/angle drilling leaving no visible
imprint on the earth above a pool of oil miles below.
Do we need an alternative to oil? Absolutely! But, technological
change to all the other sources takes time. So why not a
National Energy Plan spread over 20 – 30 years to wean ourselves
while using the God given natural resources in the United
States? What’s wrong with using oil sand deposits or shale oil
or coal conversion technology? Have we no trust of the thing
that made this country what it is today, private enterprise? Or
has the communistic left lean of environmental groups made us
afraid of ourselves? Better yet is the hold up elected officials
who are tied up with special interest groups on the
environmentalist’s side.
I’d love to have a hybrid SUV that was strong enough to pull my
Travel Trailer but they don’t have one developed yet. Who’s
going to invent the replacements for the diesel engines that
power trains and commercial trucks around the country? Not
Government, it will be done by private industry just like every
other major advancement our nation has known. Think about bio
diesel why does it cost more than diesel and e-85 gasohol that
drives up food costs? Should we give up RV’s, boats, lawn
mowers, private planes, and second cars? Need we quit eating?
So let’s change some attitudes on the issue. Let’s make our
Legislative and Executive Branches come up with a real energy
plan. Let’s offer incentives to our nation’s non- governmental /
private industry and individuals. Let’s take off some of the
restrictions protecting caribou’s needs over that of human
beings. Let’s figure out what to do with the old machines we
won’t be driving, plowing with or flying. Why not build new
efficient environmentally friendly refineries so we don’t import
fuel. How we can make current petroleum based products from
other things (fuel is only a small part of the oil industry
worldwide) and maintain our industrial base. Bet that Monsanto,
Dow Chemical or someone is already doing that. Let’s figure out
how to feed; cattle, hogs and chickens something else if we are
going to grow corn for E-85, I’ll bet ConAgra already has. Let’s
make a plan to convert every military vessel, plane and tank to
another efficient source of energy, companies like Boeing,
General Motors, Ford and other Defense related industries need
to be working. Lets plan for wind power off the coast of New
England and other coastal areas and more in the mid west, “where
the wind comes sweeping down the plain”, GE maybe? Cattle will
graze and fish feed around wind turbines and oil rigs. Let’s go
for more nuclear power plants to cut electric costs, why are we
just 20% nuke power nationally? There is a song we sing in
church titled “Think On These Things”, thinking is one thing but
doing another.
But, better yet, let’s quit waiting, whining and running the
same old saw of yesterday; “it will take too long we need it
now” then continue wait for $10 a gallon gasoline. Wait for the
rising costs of food and other products to hit harder than
gasoline right now. So tell your favorite Presidential Candidate
and Congressmen / Senators today to get off the dime and get to
work with a new attitude toward human needs, American needs and
get us off imported oil and gasoline by Drilling Now! I for one
am real tired of funding the Saudi’s, OPEC, and Russia. I hate
having the Chinese drilling for the Cubans 64 miles from the USA
when I’m paying over $4.00 at the pump, how about you?
Austin M. “Gus” Wilgus
117 Heverly Drive
Emerald Isle, NC 28594
(252) 354-3081
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