We Have The Power
Gas prices are high and everyone is complaining about it. Well, maybe not everyone, the oil companies seem happy enough but most everyone else.
The Republicans were in charge for six years and they did nothing about high gas prices. Now they are busy pointing fingers at the Democrats for not doing something about this problem in the three and one half months they have been in charge. You have to be brain dead to buy into this latest example of self-righteous posturing from the remnants of the do-nothing 109th Congress.
The oil companies’ explanation for the high prices seems just as disingenuous. They say it is due to refinery maintenance interfering with production. There have been rumblings that in some cases, companies have allowed refinery infrastructure to deteriorate while taking huge profits. Maintenance is an unavoidable component of all machinery operations. It is something intelligent people plan for and schedule. Certainly those running refineries are intelligent enough to know this. So if the maintenance is neglected and the inevitable breakdowns occur, they know the effect this will have on supply and demand. If the maintenance is planned but scheduled just when the peak use months are coming, the result is the same - demand exceeds production. Taking either path – neglect or poor planning - guarantees increased gas prices and the record high profits the oil companies are reaping. So let’s call the oil executives to testify once again before congress, but this time, let’s put them under oath. (And tell “he who builds bridges to nowhere” to put a sock in it.!)
That said, we the people have to accept responsibility for our not so slight contributions to the high prices. We are the ones who refuse to conserve energy and therefore continue to increase demand which increases prices. We buy gas guzzling cars, drive hundreds of unnecessary miles because of poor planning or just for pleasure. We run unwatched televisions, leave lights on, heat and cool our homes without thought for anything but our own comfort. We run half empty dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers. We use small appliances that use big energy, like toaster ovens. We excuse ourselves with I’m-just-one-person-thinking and fail to realize that there are 3 hundred million of us just-one-persons.
The oil companies have no incentive to decrease demand – it is contrary to their reason for being. Politicians on both sides are too indebted to oil companies and other big business to force the issue unless great pressure is brought to bear. We, on the other hand, can start cutting back on our energy use this very day. And we can also start pressuring our legislators today.
Complaining about the prices without action will not change anything. But the combination of these actions will make a noticeable change in a short time. We have the power. We have to choose to use it.