Well...do you? If you are like me, and most other folks, you certainly do. And, we can have it.

To illustrate how, let me explain.

I have been sick of hearing all of the endless wrangling by the major news media and politicians (particularly of the liberal variety) regarding the price of gas.

The other day I heard some so-called oil and gas expert on a talk show. He was a guest and clearly an Obama supporter. He launched into this protracted explanation of the price of gold, the value of the dollar, OPEC, the world market and China's purchasing, etc., etc. to explain why the price cannot come down and how anyone saying it can just doesn't understand the market or the way oil "works."

The explanation was so convoluted it was rediculous, he kept saying, "Now hang with me, I know this is not easy to understand," and, "I know this will not be easy to folow, there's a lot involved and I will try and walk you through it," and "this is complicated, it's no wonder everyone is making mistakes about it."

I finally just changed the channel.

Here's the deal.

Four years ago in 2008, under Geroge W. Bush, the gas prices also went up. All of the same parameteres, OPEC, the devalued dollar, China's use, the world market, etc. were in place at the time. Four years ago these same people said the price of oil and gas would not be coming down...probably ever again. They wanted to blame Bush. (Hmmm seems like we've heard this same song and dance before).

Then President Bush (who unlike the current occupant of the White House actually understood oil and gas very well) simply stated that the US would immediately open up its federal lands for drilling off shore, in the shales in the Rockies and the oil-sands elsewhere, working ANWR and in the Dakotas.

Do you remember this? I certainly do, and everyone knew that Bush meant it, he was serious about it. He immediately began doing it and things started popping.

Yes it was going to take years for those particular efforts to produce new oil...but nothing like ten years.

But guess what? Do you remember what happened next, and in short order? It certainly did not take years for the price to be impacted! No sir. That began happening within 2-3 months.

The Saudis and OPEC met and immediately reacted by cutting their prices...drastically. You see, it's simple to understand. They are floating in oil. Oil the western companies discovered and developed and then were given over to them by Carter and other foolish "progressive' leaders. Despite that, we are their major long-term buyers, and they knew it. They do not want the U.S. to be capable of developing and producing our own sources that will make us independent of them.

So they lowered their prices...immediately and dramatically.

IN 2008 WITHIN SIX MONTHS THE PRICE OF GAS WAS WELL BELOW $2.00 A GALLON!

Plain and simple...and going down.

That was four years ago, in 2008.

Then Barack Obama was elected President...

Obama stopped all of that research and development on federal lands. He simply turned it off. But he could not conttrol private land...but he proceeded to over regulate that as much as possible and make it harder. He visited the Saudis, and if you remember, he bowed to the Saudi King. The Saudis were happy with his efforts and plans to not "push" America towards oil and gas...towards fossil fuel...independence. The other members of OPEC were equally happy, and the price climbed, and is still climbing, back past the price where it is was before Bush initiated the exploration, development, and drilling on all of those federal lands and a serious policy towards energy independence.

Most of us do not have such short memories as the politicians, the major media and the leftists want to imagine.

Today, right now, if we had a President, an administration, and a Congress with any spine or true concern about American strategic long term interests, we would do the same thing we did in 2008, except this time we would mean it and make it permanent.

If we did, like in 2008, the Arabs would lower prices again, which we would gladly accept...right up until our own new oil and gas came on line. Then our own companies could produce it in abundance (we now have proven reserves doubling what all of the Arabs have together) and we would be able, IMHO, to do so for at least to $2.00 a gallon (maybe lower). And we would once and all break this foolish dependence on foreign oil for our needs.

So, next time you here the hogwash like I heard on the radio, remember what happened four years ago before Obama came along, and then look at the situation now, and simply ask yourself:

Are we better off now than four years ago?

The answer regarding fuel costs...and all of the other costs it drives (food, materails, anyything that has to be trucked to market, airfares, bus fares, taxis, electricity, etc. all driven up by the staggering increase in fuel costs) is simple. No we are not...not even close.

Vote accordingly...and make sure you write all of your reps and tell them all about it. I have.

JEFF HEAD
Spring through Summer, 2012

America at the Crossroads of History

If I were President, Here's what I would do

The Man who Despises America

...and for some light reading, for times when you want to take a break, here's what I do to spend those down times:

My Review and Build of the 1/350 scale model of the Chinese Aircraft Carrier