U.S. needs more than hope to handle Earth’s harsh reality

A few weeks ago my wife and I were in New Mexico’s capital, Santa Fe, for Grandparents Day at a private school.

Old folks from all over the U.S. had gathered to admire the accomplishments of their beautiful grandchildren. Of course, I talked to these people, asking pointed questions and discovering that there is little awareness of the real situation in their native land.


That same week, U.S. President George W. Bush had visited Saudi Arabia, begging them to increase its oil production, the second time in four months, and again he failed.

Imagine a person with debts all over the place and unable to pay even the interest, going to the bank and asking for more money. The lending officer would tell this spend thrift to curtail expenses, live within his means and economize wherever possible.

What Bush should have done, when he recognized that the U.S. was addicted to oil, was to reduce the speed limit to 55 mph, add an extra tax to the billions of gallons of fuel Americans waste each day, and impose a carbon tax so that less gasoline is sold, less pollution is caused, fewer kilometres driven, thus, the import bill of the U.S. is cut. The extra tax collected to be used, of course, to help poor people cope.

Today, the U.S. imports 13 million barrels of oil each day. Multiply that by $130, and the trade deficit on gasoline alone is more than $1.7 billion each day, or $50 billion per month. No wonder the U.S. dollar is in a free fall.

Since Bush won’t do anything, what is the next president to do?

Belleville Intelligencer