Forty years ago, when I was a senior in high school, the two great issues we faced were Vietnam and the environmental crisis. The first Earth Day neatly juxtaposed environmental activism with anti-war sentiment. Five years later, the war was over, and the great pro-envirnoment legislative agenda of the day had been enacted. Clean Water, Clean Air, Endangered Species... the future looked bright. But in retrospect, our optimism should have been tempered by our failure to learn anything from the great energy crisis of 1973-74.
President Carter tried, of course, but he was ridiculed for his efforts by the Republicans and their standard-bearer of the 80's, Ronal Reagan. And the GOP convinced a majority of voters, again and again, that there was no need to sacrifice for a better future. Just keep on drilling, became their mantra, to be replaced with the execrable "drill, baby, drill" chant of McCain-Palin.
The disaster in the Gulf of Mexico will be repeated, as the age of Easy Oil has clearly come to an end. To satisfy the world's demand for the precious stuff, more dangerous and difficult sites must be developed, as the easy ones are now depleted. Conserve? Drive smaller vehicles? Walk or ride a bicycle? Be serious - this country is not prepared to give an inch on this 19th century energy economy.
As proof, here are the new car sales for May 2010, as compared to last May. Luxury SUV's lead the way, as the recession is showing signs of abating. Until we see hybrids leading the pack, I think it is clear that we have yet to understand the depths of our troubles.
We need to increase the price of gasoline at the pump. The best way to do this is with a significant tax increase: at least a $1 a gallon. In other words, we need to move closer to the world price for gasoline. The revenue should be dedicated to energy research. It should not be diverted to deficit-reduction. That is a worthy objective, perhaps, but that can best be accomplished by bringing the troops home from the Bush-era wars.
I totally agree with you Professor McSweeney. I find it disgusting how our country is addicted to something so harmful and destructive. The environmental impact this spill will have on our country will go on for generations, and yet Americans will learn nothing. The constant need for some Americans to have the status symbol Hummer or Cadillac SUV will undermine any efforts to reduce our dependence on oil. I hope that Obama taxes the hell out of these crooked oil companies who have been receiving record profits and tax breaks, while forever ruining our planet's oceans and environment.
ReplyDeleteI understand your point, but do you think the President could get such a tax bill through this Congress? The House, maybe, but the Senate?
ReplyDeleteNo, and that is the huge problem with government today. Nothing is done for the greater good of all Americans, only for the rich elite 1%.
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