An Energy Policy That Worked
Op-Ed columnist, Thomas Friedman’s August 10, New York Times’ article about Denmark’s energy policy puts America to shame. After the 1973 Arab oil embargo, Denmark started moving purposefully toward energy independence. In 1973, 99% of their energy came from the Middle East. Today that percentage is zero. Let me say that again. Denmark’s current dependence on Middle East energy is ZERO.
And during that same period of time, what did the United States do? We sat back while our government talked about, but took no action on, making changes to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Either our elected officials are incompetent or they sold us out to the oil companies because our dependence on Middle East oil not only has not decreased, it has increased. If even half the effort that has gone into trying to control Middle East oil had gone into developing alternative fuels, we, like Denmark could be free, or well on the way to being free, of that dependence.
Instead of encouraging oil companies by subsidizing them, we should be using that money for incentives for new innovative companies in the business of developing alternative energy sources. We should not subsidize the companies that have been ripping us off for years. It’s past time to get their hands out of the cookie jar. Let’s help in the start up of new companies that will supply us with energy from alternative sources and produce the new jobs such development will create.
Reading Friedman’s column made me very angry. It should make all Americans angry. Just think of all the money, our money, Washington has funneled into the coffers of big oil. And what have we gotten for our dollars? That money helped feed our country’s addiction to petroleum based products incurring damage to our environment; it added to the problems we have in the Middle East; and it contributed to our huge deficit. This is what our government has done for us while the Denmark government moved their country from 99% percent dependence to zero dependence.
Even now the money grabbers are trying to wring the last cent out of us by dragging their collective feet, expecting us to subsidize their new development while they pocket huge profits; proposing changes with results 20, 30, even 50 years out; and insisting that they must have leases for offshore drilling for everything they do not already have. If we buy into this, if we allow their greed to continue unchecked, then we deserve whatever we get. And what we will get is a ruined planet, more wars, overwhelming debt, and the continuation of a broken government.
I don’t know if Al Gore’s 10 year plan is feasible but it is worth aiming for that or something like it. The determination of the American people has accomplished wonders throughout our history and it can again. Many of those who claim we can’t make changes that fast, have a vested interest in delaying those changes. So wake up people! Vote the foot draggers out of office, all of them regardless of political party. It is time to elect officials who will work to emulate Denmark and do for us what Denmark’s government did for their country.
Read Friedman’s article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/opinion/10friedman1.html?em