[kabar]

We are not that dependent on ME oil. The top five exporting countries accounted for 72 percent of United States crude oil imports in May while the top ten sources accounted for approximately 92 percent of all U.S. crude oil imports. The top five sources of US crude oil imports for May were Canada (2,329 thousand barrels per day), Saudi Arabia (1,440 thousand barrels per day), Mexico (777 thousand barrels per day), Venezuela (674 thousand barrels per day) and Colombia (373 thousand barrels per day). The rest of the top ten sources, in order, were Kuwait (361 thousand barrels per day), Nigeria (345 thousand barrels per day), Iraq (321 thousand barrels per day), Angola (316 thousand barrels per day) and Ecuador (178 thousand barrels per day). Total crude oil imports averaged 7,737 thousand barrels per day in May, which is an increase of 11 thousand barrels per day from April 2013.

Oil is fungible. The US can become energy independent, but oil will remain vital to the global economy regardless. The ME, the greatest exporter of oil, will remain an extremely important region of the world for our strategic national interests.

I am all in favor of energy independence, which help our economy and balance of payments. It will also enhance national security. But it will not lessen our involvement in the ME.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

The ME, the greatest exporter of oil, will remain an extremely important region of the world for our strategic national interests.

Maybe so, but if we have all this oil, why can't we put a tariff on imported petroleum and get rid of the income tax?

We need to return to the days of cheap abundant energy for the American people.