Heard on CNN this morning:
The additional cost of energy being paid by Americans PER DAY now versus:
- 1 yr. ago = $350 million/day MORE
- 2 yrs. ago = $500 million/day MORE
- 3 yrs. ago = nearly $1 billion/day MORE!
Shortly after taking office as president over twenty-eight years ago, Jimmy Carter, as prompted by the 1973 Arab oil embargo, announced his National Energy Plan.
But Americans were in no mood to make energy sacrifices to alleviate the country's enormous appetite for foreign oil. They opted instead for the optimism demonstrated by Ronald Reagan's removal of the solar panels and woodstove Carter had installed in the White House. The national energy plan which would have boosted energy supplies while reducing demand was then systematically dismantled during the 80's.
The time is rapidly approaching when Carteresque measures will have to be considered again. Only this time we won't have the option to "opt out." And this time they won't be as painless. To continue America's foolhearty addiction to oil as if there's an endless supply will eventually lead to increased global tensions and war. Oh wait,er, ahm, never mind. Too late. Sorry. Just disregard this message.
Just be thankful the new higher mileage requirements placed on light trucks by the Energy Department exempted Humvees! And besides, folks who drive Hummers don't worry about the price of gasoline anyway, right?
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USA Today reports that in 2002 the average low-income American spent about 8% of their income on gas. Today about 11% goes to buy gas.
AND the poverty rate is increasing along with the number of people who have no health insurance in spite of the fact that the economy [Hallburton] is doing well.
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