Big Oil and Fossil Fuel Industry Are Strangling the US Economy, Causing Wars, and Poisoning Us

[midnight]

Why is our energy policy fossilized with policies that are bankrupting us, polluting toxins into the air and water and serving as the catalyst to launch wars to control oil reserves?

That is because there is no separation between our government's federal energy policy and the "industry's" energy policy. They are virtually one and the same. That means that the profits of the oil companies, the coal barons and other fossil fuel businesses are basically in charge of driving a strategic policy that is economically ruining us and preventing the development of alternative energy sources.


That is the major reason it is light years ahead of the US in nurturing the solar, hydropower and wind power industries, among others. Yes, China heavily subsidizes its alternative fuel initiatives, but shouldn't the US government be doing the same? Why isn't the entire south of the United States powered in large part by solar and wind energy? Why isn't geothermal technology at an advance development state in the US?

So, the people who killed the electric car several times (now having its tenth or 11th "rebirth"), who have impeded solar energy, who scrapped mass transportation in Los Angeles, who are supporting a toxic Keystone XL pipeline through the US to export oil overseas and who have done everything possible to keep us junkies hooked on fossil fuels, these people continue to prevent the US government from advancing nontoxic and less expensive (in the long term, sun and wind power will never be exhausted) energy.


In Wisconsin we lost our high speed rail because of the koch heads pipe lines. Before Scott Walker even took office he killed the project while it was taking off....http://blog.buzzflash.com/node/13005

[Supersedeas]

1. But they sure do create smooth flashy commercial during all the TV network "news" programs

Do you think all those advertising dollars have an influence on the content of the 'new?'

[Shagbark Hickory]

2. Yeah but they create so many jobs and do so many great things for the community and haven't you ...

heard... they're developing clean energies!

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[blindpig]

3. Nationalize the energy sector.

Expropriate the bastards without compensation.

[Angleae]

5. Not a big fan of the constitution are you?

[badtoworse]

6. Even if it could be done (which it can't),...

...I wouldn't want the government in charge of our energy production. It can't even manage the Post Office.

This is one of the more ridiculous ideas I've seen proposed on DU.

[blindpig]

10. That is only because of the profit motive...

when a society is organized on the principle of fulfilling human need much is possible that capitalist criteria cannot even comprehend.

[badtoworse]

11. Read the Constitution, especially the Fifth Amendment

The government does not have the power to just take things. Sorry, but nationalizing private property is a taking - period.

The constitution puts limits on the government's powers. You should celebrate that.

[blindpig]

12. Ya can't stop social evolution.

The US Constitution is an artifact of the Bourgeois Revolution, it is hardly the end of history. It was created by, of and for the ascendant class of that and our times. It shall be superseded by the rule of the next (and last)ascendant class, the working class. You should celebrate that.

[badtoworse]

14. I'm good with the Constitution, thank you.

This isn't 1917 Russia.

[Johnson20]

15. Humm. Now just where have I heared that line before? n/t

[blindpig]

16. You will be hearing it more and more...

It is solution to what bedevils us.

[Johnson20]

17. You know I would not doubt it at all. n/t

[Octafish]

7. Give 'em a deal like all the people living in the way of the new pipeline will get.

More on Tar, Oil, Pipelines and Presidents

By ANDREW C. REVKIN
September 8, 2011, 5:19 pm
New York Times blog

EXCERPT...

6—Speaking of first nations peoples, you need to deal with the fact that their ancestral lands have been wildly damaged by this incredibly primitive and inefficient tarsands mining. A delegation of chiefs and other leaders came to Washington, and many were arrested in our protest. They were powerful people. So are the ranchers and farmers whose land is being taken by eminent domain across the Plains. Oh, and you really think a pipeline crossing the Oglalla aquifer is a good idea? I’m glad opinions last forever on the Internet.

SOURCE: http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/08/more-on-tar-oil-pipelines-and-presidents/

Truth be told: I do prefer your excellent suggestion, blindpig. The people who've done the most to enrich the fewest and make the planet almost inhabitable for the many should be shown no favor.

[blindpig]

9. Thanks, Octafish

It's not just a matter of putting production in the hands of the producers, it is a matter of survival. But again, these things are bundled together, nature, survival or capitalism, only one can stand, and if the wrong road is continued, not for long.

[Gregorian]

4. But they can't do it without our help. Every time we fill up. Or use oil.

People just don't like introspection. I agree with the fact that the oil companies are evil pimps of their product. But it's equally as important to look at the way we have designed our lives around the comfort and convenience of petroleum.

I'll admit that it's hard to get away from oil. But it's hard to get away from being an alcoholic.

[badtoworse]

8. Without a viable energy storage technology,...

...Renewables are not ready for prime time. Besides, who wants to drive a golf cart that costs $40,000 and can only go 100 miles on a charge? When they get it right, I'll consider it, but until then, I'll stick with a regular car (full size) and the gasoline to power it.

[uponit7771]

13. There's no reason gas should be over 3 dollars in America right now, who's driving to work?!