GreyWolf
Today I watched Al Gore on Meet The Press and for the first time I find myself in complete agreement with him on the issue of our country and it’s dependence on foreign oil.
When I was in grammar school the teachers told us that we are running out of oil and we need to find other forms of energy. The people in power at that time said that it would take at least 10 years for us to find alternate forms of energy and nothing happened. The price of a gallon of gas in 1955 was $.23 cents.
In the 1960’s the scientific community sounded the trumpet again…..telling us that we had around 50 years of oil left (an underestimate, as it turns out). During that time we began to feel the pressure from the middle eastern countries and the creation of OPEC, a cartel that fixed the price of a barrel of oil. The people in power at that time said that it would take at least 10 years for us to find alternate forms of energy and nothing happened. The price of a gallon of gas in 1965 was $.31 cents.
In the 1970’s OPEC got together and slapped us with an oil shortage. Long lines at the pump spilling over into the street, people only allowed to buy gas on odd or even days (depending on the last number on their license plate) Jimmy Carter came on TV in late 70’s sporting a sweater telling us to lower the thermostats settings in our homes….People clamored to find a way out. Those on power said that it would take a least 10 years before we could find alternate forms of energy and nothing happened. The price of a gallon of gas in 1975 was $.57 cents.
In the 1980’s our economy boomed. Ronald Reagan was president and a new American pride was taking over the country. OPEC was not quick to pressure us on pricing and we rode the economic wave with increased wages and a higher standard of living. Still in the background were the voices that warned us that oil was running out and that OPEC could put a strangle hold on us anytime that wanted to and that this robust economy was at their mercy, the people in power said it would take at least 10 years. Nothing happened. The price for a gallon of gas in 1985 was $1.20.
In the 1990’s we entered the DOT.COM era. Internet stocks rose like a rocket, the economy again was running like a clock and the price of a gallon of oil actually dropped to $1.15 in 1995. Unfortunately this era of Pox Americana was about to suddenly come to an end.
September 11, 2001, a day that will live in American history side by side with Pearl Harbor. We were attacked by Islamic Terrorists. We are all aware of how it happened and how we felt when we heard about it and watched it over and over again on TV. We responded first by attacking Afghanistan, the Taliban stronghold where the attackers were given safe haven and where training was taking place for additional attacks. Then we attacked Iraq. This attack has been criticized both at home and around the world. Based on what was found or should I say wasn’t found, namely WMD’s, this attack was dubious and seemed to galvanize a large portion of the Islamic world against American boots on the ground in the middle east. The price of a gallon of gas exploded. There were murmurings about finding alternate fuels, maybe a wind farm or two of the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, which the powerful Kennedy family ended quickly…..a clear Not In My Back Yard response. Many said it was time for us to make an all out effort to find alternative fuels…..find domestic sources of oil…..make more fuel efficient cars….but of course that would take at least 10 years to achieve…….
Today…in 2008 the price of gas is $4.25 a gallon! Fifty years have passed since my days in grammar school. Housing prices are dropping like a rock, banks are failing, unemployment is rising, inflation is rising. Bread, eggs, milk, produce, etc. pricing are rising at an alarming rate. In a large segment of our population a person can only buy 1-1/2 gallon of gas with the wage they earn per hour. All of the above effected by the price of oil!
What is needed is a Manhattan Project (the development of the atomic bomb during WWII) for getting us off the oil tap of the middle east.
Al Gore has challenged us to become energy independent using renewable, carbon free forms of energy such as bio-fuels, wind energy, solar energy, water energy and clean electric energy. It will require an all out effort from all us. It will require some sacrifices but they will be worth it.
Of course it’s gonna take at least 10 years……..
What do you think….talk to me.
Tags: Elderly Problems, marketing to baby boomers, Psychological Articles