Forum Discussion
eltejano1
Jun 20, 2008Explorer
Thank you, Slowlane. Excellent response. What a pleasure and privilege it is to be able to engage in controversial dialogue with well-informed ladies and gentlemen.
We seem to be confronted by the classical question of American politics, upon which our two parties are traditionally based - what economic role should govt play? As children of the Great Depression, most working class Texans of my generation are still New Deal Democrats at heart, and still see government as best representing our interests on questions like this one - despite the fact that we have been forced to choose between our pocketbook and our Bible at the ballot box for forty years - and the Bible wins in Texas, a solid "red" state. I have no political home, with one foot in each party, and my long association with Republicans allows me to understand your reliance on free enterprise to pull us out of this crisis.
My information is based only on news stories and TV documentaries, but I am under the impression that petroleum reserves are rapidly depleting and that we'll be facing major shortages within a couple of decades. Others claim we have a hundred years of oil left to pump. The truth on that probably lies between the two warring factions, but it is a finite resource, it does pollute the environment, and it's days are clearly numbered - the only question is how long it will last.
In any case, whatever the time frame, prudence demands that we begin to prepare for ever-increasing shortages and seek alternatives to this vital commodity. Since alternative energy is such a long-term program, with no immediate profit rewards, it seems to me that govt is much better positioned to fund this basic research. Isn't that a sensible position, Slowlane?
You are absolutely right - there is no other way to power an aircraft, locomotive or 18-wheeler at this time. If we wait until the basic research becomes economically viable for free enterprise to make the massive investments, it may be too late. If we run-out of oil without alternatives, we will see an economic and social collapse of literally biblical proportions.
Like most issues, the actual truth probably lies somewhere between our respective positions.
I'll have a Bud Light. :)
Jack
We seem to be confronted by the classical question of American politics, upon which our two parties are traditionally based - what economic role should govt play? As children of the Great Depression, most working class Texans of my generation are still New Deal Democrats at heart, and still see government as best representing our interests on questions like this one - despite the fact that we have been forced to choose between our pocketbook and our Bible at the ballot box for forty years - and the Bible wins in Texas, a solid "red" state. I have no political home, with one foot in each party, and my long association with Republicans allows me to understand your reliance on free enterprise to pull us out of this crisis.
My information is based only on news stories and TV documentaries, but I am under the impression that petroleum reserves are rapidly depleting and that we'll be facing major shortages within a couple of decades. Others claim we have a hundred years of oil left to pump. The truth on that probably lies between the two warring factions, but it is a finite resource, it does pollute the environment, and it's days are clearly numbered - the only question is how long it will last.
In any case, whatever the time frame, prudence demands that we begin to prepare for ever-increasing shortages and seek alternatives to this vital commodity. Since alternative energy is such a long-term program, with no immediate profit rewards, it seems to me that govt is much better positioned to fund this basic research. Isn't that a sensible position, Slowlane?
You are absolutely right - there is no other way to power an aircraft, locomotive or 18-wheeler at this time. If we wait until the basic research becomes economically viable for free enterprise to make the massive investments, it may be too late. If we run-out of oil without alternatives, we will see an economic and social collapse of literally biblical proportions.
Like most issues, the actual truth probably lies somewhere between our respective positions.
I'll have a Bud Light. :)
Jack
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