[truthguy]

We didn't have to come to this point: we could have built a synthetic fuel industry.

Yes we could have but the oil producing nations have been careful to price crude oil at levels below what it would take to economically justify these plants. One plan that I've seen and support would have been to put a tax on imported oil that would price it at a point where gasoline (or diesel) from coal or natural gas would be competitive. At least the money would be kept here at home and not sent abroad. It could have been a successful clamping mechanism on the price of oil as well. The OPEC countries would not have the leverage they now have.

But many have balked at the idea of additional taxes on imported oil. They don't think of such a tax as having a positive long term benefits. So we've lived and died with the wild ups and downs of the oil markets. We could have had a lot more security if we had gone ahead with these programs.

[Mike Acker]

=”Yes we could have but the oil producing nations have been careful to price crude oil at levels below what it would take to economically justify these plants.”

quite true

which is why I lament the lack of planning and leadership in our senior people

deeper still I lament that We the People are inured to incompetence and racketeering on the part of our senior leadership. we should not accept that

who was it said “In a democracy people get the government they deserve” ?