[Theoria]

I would say why would we export a resource that is a central theme in our national security. Part of the reason we are so concerned with the ME is the fact that there is large oil resources that we depend on. China does not 'pay' to secure that, but we are left to do it. It will be our taxes that secures the safety of those vessels and shipments.

One would have expected our .gov to get rid of regulations and environmental issues to help create more refineries here since the ME is so fragile, we didn't.

Finally, part of the push for the additional Keystone lines from Canadian was for being able to export those resources to higher bidders overseas.

Once oil prices go up again, I wouldn't be surprised if the debate of crude oil comes up again.

[thackney]

higher bidders overseas

It is a fungible market. Why do you believe the US pays below market rates, even lower than cost of moving oil around the world?