Why are we still dependent on foreign oil?

[EKYhunter]

Why are we still dependent on foreign oil? In my opinion the current leadership of this country, GW Bush and Congress, and his predecessor, WJ Clinton, have failed the American people. We are likely more dependent on foreign oil than we were 16 years ago. Why has neither administration done anything about it? In the future I think conflicts will evolve around countries who have oil such as Russia/Iran and those who don't such as the US, France, and England. Throw in the fact that we get our oil currently from countries that hate us and I think it's WW3 in the making. Look who Russia supports, namely Iran, throw in the Chineese for good measure, and add the fact that Musharif is about to be run out of Pakistan and things really start looking bad. I think that this conflict will make Iraq look like a walk in the park.

I think that Clinton was way to soft on terror and Bush has done pretty good overall with terror as evidenced by a lack of any more 911s. But both have failed to get the American people on the path to energy independence! To me this one of, if not the biggest, issue facing our country. Let's not even mention immigration!

I'm also skeptical that either Osama or McCain has what it takes to meet these challenges. What do you guys think about this?

[oldksnarc]

I agree that we should be less dependent than we are. However, we have more untapped reserves than all of the middle east. We do rely on getting oil from countries that hate us, but we get 60% of our foreign oil from Canada who is a friend. The current price per barrel is more about speculators and liberals than it is the actual cost of producing that barrel.

But, if you'll notice, the price per barrel keeps going down after the President lifted the ban on new drilling (although the liberal congress voted that down). That's because the speculators realize they are nearing the end of being able to rape us with the prices.

[stevebeilgard]

i constantly write to my govt. folks in washington. i hope you do, too. and i sign petitions. i believe we should drill all over, wherever there is oil.but, the greenies keep us from it. i see a tidal wave swelling up for this election. if mccain had a brian ( which he doesn't) he'd be all over this thing, demanding congress to drill everywhere, especially anwar. i think mccain may actually lose this election by doing stupid things, when he could have easily won.

[oldksnarc]

Yes, McCain is missing the boat on making this the main issue of the election. I do, however, think that we can drill for or refine shale oil while still protecting the environment like the environmentalists and liberals want - while still reducing our dependence on foreign oil and conserving resources and reserves for future generations.

The liberals and tree-huggers would have us believe they are the salvation and it is their way or no way. We sit on too much to allow ourselves to be dependent on any other country.

This planet has been here so much longer than us and overcome much greater threats than us. Who are we to think we are so omnipotent that we can ruin this planet. We are but flecks and a fleeting moment in this planet's history and we'll be long gone before this planet even feels that we were here.

[wtnhunt]

We sit on too much to allow ourselves to be dependent on any other country.

Could not agree more. Whether it be through offshore drilling or shale, there is no reason this country should be in the position it is in. It really is a sad situation when our lawmakers in DC put their political agendas ahead of the constituents who voted them in. Last I heard some 78 percent or so of American voters asked said that they were in favor of drilling here and drilling now. It is blatantly obvious that Pelosi has no regard for the American people.

[EKYhunter]

I think you all make great points but I still assert that we need to free of oil dependence. I think the government should be offering some major prize money to either business's or individuals who can come up with energy related ideas that will work and which reduce our dependence on oil. I also whole heartedly agree that McCain should be making this issue and how it relates to the economy his #1 taking point/platform issue. Why doesn't he?

[wtnhunt]

I think you all make great points but I still assert that we need to free of oil dependence. I think the government should be offering some major prize money to either business's or individuals who can come up with energy related ideas that will work and which reduce our dependence on oil. I also whole heartedly agree that McCain should be making this issue and how it relates to the economy his #1 taking point/platform issue. Why doesn't he?

Only one problem with becoming totally independent of oil, and that is that millions of people will not have the resources to invest in new vehicles which do not emit any type of gases and run on other sources. That is a factor that can have an impact on the economy as is obvious. Unfortunately some people(liberals) cannot grasp that as reality.

As far as McCain taking that as his number 1 platform, it should be up there no doubt, and I agree that it should certainly be getting more attention than what he is giving to the issue. There is absolutely positively no doubt whatsoever and it is not a secret that if fuel prices and transportation prices in this country come down, that consumer confidence and spending will go up. Pretty basic economics, really not sure why he is not being more aggressive on this topic.

[Ohiobucks]

I'm going to play devils advocate here, just a thought that popped into my head, and I'll throw it out there for some thought and feedback. I don't necessarily think this way, but do you think attacks similar to what happened on 9/11 would increase if we cut out dependency on foreign oil, or even just cut it in half? I'm not saying we would be living in fear, but we are living in real life - dealing with a bunch of nut job whackos.....

Fact is, we need to start drilling here now to impact pricing and demand on a world wide level. Pump it out of the ground, refine it for $15 a barrel, sell it to ourselves for $20 a barrel and sell some of it to China for $200 a barrel....(my math may be off a bit, I have no idea what it costs to refine oil)

[wtnhunt]

I'm going to play devils advocate here, just a thought that popped into my head, and I'll throw it out there for some thought and feedback. I don't necessarily think this way, but do you think attacks similar to what happened on 9/11 would increase if we cut out dependency on foreign oil, or even just cut it in half? I'm not saying we would be living in fear, but we are living in real life - dealing with a bunch of nut job whackos.....

Fact is, we need to start drilling here now to impact pricing and demand on a world wide level. Pump it out of the ground, refine it for $15 a barrel, sell it to ourselves for $20 a barrel and sell some of it to China for $200 a barrel....(my math may be off a bit, I have no idea what it costs to refine oil)

I don't think so Tom, at least not as long as we keep terrorist groups fighting us oversees, and so long as our government uses whatever resources it has to in order to disrupt, find, and fully prosecute those who wish to kill us, rather than coddling to human rights actvists and liberals who think the rights of killers and illegals are more important than the rights of our own taxpaying law abiding citizens.

Far as your math goes, don't see us selling it to China at $200 a barrel, however we do need to stop China or Russia from drilling near Cuba, and reclaim what should rightfully be ours and keep it here. The global oil prices really vary pretty dramatically, China without any question has made a huge impact on the prices that most of us see.

[Predator]

My frustration is our government leaders can't handle a plan that requires more than 4 years. And everyone wants it all one way or the other.

We need at least a 15 to 30 yr plan. It needs to be communicated and we need to stick to that plan. That gives everyone (car buyers, manufacterers etc.) time to transition. We will need crude oil for many years no matter how good we get at transitioning to other energy sources. Making more drilling connected to developing additional options sounds sensible to me. This country once went from steam to oil. I am sure that did not happen overnight. (Besides - I want my 2005 8 cylinder 4.7 liter Dakota pickup to run 15 more years without having to drop in an electric motor. )

[stevebeilgard]

I'm going to play devils advocate here, just a thought that popped into my head, and I'll throw it out there for some thought and feedback. I don't necessarily think this way, but do you think attacks similar to what happened on 9/11 would increase if we cut out dependency on foreign oil, or even just cut it in half? I'm not saying we would be living in fear, but we are living in real life - dealing with a bunch of nut job whackos.....

Fact is, we need to start drilling here now to impact pricing and demand on a world wide level. Pump it out of the ground, refine it for $15 a barrel, sell it to ourselves for $20 a barrel and sell some of it to China for $200 a barrel....(my math may be off a bit, I have no idea what it costs to refine oil)

the turbin wearers are filthy rich from us buying oil, and they use lots of our money for the radicals to wage ware on us. why can't we put oil prices at the going rate and pay off our national debt, rebuild social security, etc??? it would work if we could get people in washington to quit spending money at a record pace. yea, right

[wildthing]

middle eastern countries have a significant amount of money invested in the US Stock Market and economy. Thus, unfortunately not doing business with these countries is never going to happen.

When it comes to oil, yes the US could drill in other areas of tap into our own reserves.

Just follow the all mightly dollar to the end of the crooked rainbow...there you will find an old white man in a business suit or a middle easterner in a white gown...both getting rich!

[johnf]

Short answer:


NANCY $^%$*#* PELOSY

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

Short answer:


NANCY $^%$*#* PELOSY

Wait, you left off Harry $^%$*#* Reid!

[Leo]

The drilling ban in this country is a Democratic party staple.

That's right, we're not tapping our own oil because the Democratic party has made it illegal.

They are pushing alternative energy sources and skirting what we haven't used. Are we sick of this?

YES WE ARE!!!