Just answered the easiest question in the world at our Smith's grocery store gas station: "would you like to use your $0.40 per gallon reward for this purchase?" Yes, yes, yes, I say! I remarked to the woman next to me that I had just answered the easiest question and she said she had, also. I then got on my soapbox... "do you know, " I said, "that we are funding the pensions for the dying, dinosaur oil industry each time we fill up? It's obscene!" "Yes," she agreed. "I used to look at Mexico and be wary of their nationalized oil industry, Pemex, but now I think it would be a good idea here!," I enthused. "Well, she said, this is the U.S. and we believe in capitalism... that's socialism!" OK, I'll continue my "discussion" here...
Oil - and gas - are finite natural resources. Is it a good idea to allow someone to profit from the recovery of them? That may be debatable, but my guess is that many would say "yes," at least in this time of transition. Would it be a good idea to use the profits being made, at least in part, to finance our transition to other energy sources? Yes! Have you seen the video on YouTube about the inventors who are perfecting a car run on compressed air? Genius! A father and son have been working for years on this. They are hoping to get things to the point where the compressed air generator - which runs on... compressed air! - can be on board, so that the car will be constantly generating compressed air fuel and the emissions will be... nothing but air!
I know this is just one of a number of thoughtful and promising energy ideas. I'm just using it as an example. I'd rather know that the money I'm paying at the pump is being funneled into new ventures... not lining the pockets of dinosaurs!
I am generally disappointed in Obama... although I feel he is probably a great human being. Anyone else feeling that way?! What a legacy it would be if he were to dismantle the oil and gas industry and not bring anyone to ruin, but somehow point us all in the direction of sustainable energy.
In working with the legislature in Santa Fe for many years, I have witnessed the power of the oil and gas lobby... and it is despicable... held back wise and clever energy advances - that didn't have to do with oil, of course! - for years in NM... I can only imagine the power wielded by that lobby in D.C.!
I had high hopes that the energy situation would be tackled by Obama. I'm not naive... I imagine it is very difficult to move the oil and gas lobby mountain, no matter who you are and how skilled, determined and persistent you are.
I've been seeing people's pictures of what they're paying at the pump. Do you remember how roundly criticized Al Gore was for saying that gas ought to be $4/gallon? My memory is that he said that with a plan in mind, which was at least to discourage wanton fuel consumption and encourage the advancement of new energy technologies and sources, and at best to fund these advances. Now, we have the high cost, and perhaps some R&D by the oil cos. - at least as to how they can profit off of new technologies and sources! - but no unified advancement and commitment to sustainability. OMG, am I a socialist?! :-)