Energy

I read an article in old paper about the energy bill that passed the congress. Can't say which one, don't particularly care. It jogged loose another of those cerebral blogs that will now become bytes of bits. Way way back under Reagan, I went to a public forum on offshore oil drilling. I wrote a letter to somebody, probably Don Hodel informing him of what our primary energy policy strategy should be. He must not have gotten it, because my brilliant idea was never implemented. Here it is: conservation, conservation, conservation. At the hearing, when it was my turn to speak, I expressed my disgust that we were debating whether to drill offshore to increase our oil supply while we had a TV commercial on the air at the time that had the line, "When you step on the gas, it's like kicking in an after burner." How can we be debating the need for more oil while we were simultaneously encouraging wasting it? Oh, yeah, because profit is the driving force. Love of money is the root of all evil. Where is that quote from? The bible. Like most bumper sticker wisdom, it's not the truth, but it refers to the truth. Obviously then the real solution is to dismantle our economic system. And to have a loving relationship with your partner, simply stop having any problems. I'm reminded of the wisdom of the pinball wizard:

If I told you what it takes to reach the highest high
You'd laugh and say that nothing's that simple
But it's been said many times before
Messiah pointed to the door
No one had the guts to leave the temple

Ok, we're not likely anytime soon to set up a world where every human being had healthy air to breathe, safe water to drink and bathe in, a steady balanced diet of sufficient calories, appropriate attire, a decent bedroll, reasonable shelter, access to basic health care, and protection from agression and oppression, and to have all of these things without having to provide a monthly payment. If these basic things were provided to every individual human being, they would not be required to sell themselves as wage slaves. If people did not have to work to have access to these basics, how many jobs would end? Most people would still want to work, because really, who would be satisfied with that basic survival lifestyle? But would they still go to a job that was a soul sucking, health threatening grind, like a slaughterhouse?

Well, I left my energy path, and ended up on the dismantle the economic system soap box. Tomorrow, I hope to return to energy, and discuss all those LED lights on your appliances.

Below are some chunks I ended up not using in this diatribe:


Well actually, most people in the U.S. can have these things, but it's not enough for us. We also want our own automobile, and computer, and to drive to the festival, and etc. etc. It's the shelter

It's not like I don't like to drive fast. I'd drive 90 on the freeway if I could get away with it. But if we're pondering drilling offshore for more oil, and dependent on foreign oil and all that implies, shouldn't we be seriously conserving oil? Instead, we were subsidizing Hummers with a full tax write off until congress finally ended it. Cars are getting less miles to the gallon. Somehow, 28mpg is being toted as fuel efficient. I had a 1985 mazda that got 38 around town.