What do the American people want?

[Classact]

I've been watching the ongoing campaigns form both leading parties and I'm at a loss as to what the American people really want. It seems if you support Obama you want out of Iraq and desire a leader that will work across party lines. OK if you immediately pull out of Iraq then Iran will take over and take control of the ME oil. Other OPEC nations will see this and come in and support the Sunni's to defeat Iran and this will result in Iran blocking the oil exports from the gulf. Oil prices will triple and America and Obama can only work together if they return to Iraq or the larger ME or drill everywhere in America. You will have a House and Senate full of big spending Democrats with no one to veto any nice idea they want to tax for. Mexican illegals will be adopted by the Democratic Party to assure political power dominance forever.

If you support Hillary you have exactly what you have right now in the ME and you have a Democratic majority in the House and Senate that will spend and tax to support socialistic medical care and hundreds of other nice programs. Mexican illegals will be adopted by the Democratic Party to assure dominance forever.

If any Democratic nominee is elected then they will rule over a overwhelming Democratic majority in the House and Senate. Would you like to see ALL Democrats in charge in Congress and the Executive Branch?

From my appraisal of the Republican candidates none will be electable unless they can convince the American people to balance out the House and Senate. How can the Republicans regain majority in the House or Senate if they have nothing to offer over the Democrats? With retiring Republicans in the Senate it is almost assured that Democrats will take a super majority if the Republicans don't offer something better than the Democratic Party.

The only thing I can see that will attract voters from across party lines to support Republicans is the Illegal Immigration issue. The only Republican that could sell this as an election issue is Senator Thompson in my opinion with Governor Romney in a distant second.

Would you like to see an all Democratic Party government? If not, what would convince you to vote for a Republican if you are not a Republican now?

[PostmodernProphet]

/shrugs....well, there are 2.7 million of us, though SOME of us share common "wants", so you can probably narrow it down to only two or three hundred thousand different goals......

some think foriegn policy is more important than domestic issues....among those, some want the US to be dominant, some do not....

it results in come interesting coalitions....you get Paul, who wants the US out of Iraq because he wants the US out of all foriegn involvement alligned with Democrats who want the US out of Iraq because they want us to be more involved with the rest of the world....

[Classact]

/shrugs....well, there are 2.7 million of us, though SOME of us share common "wants", so you can probably narrow it down to only two or three hundred thousand different goals......

some think foriegn policy is more important than domestic issues....among those, some want the US to be dominant, some do not....

it results in come interesting coalitions....you get Paul, who wants the US out of Iraq because he wants the US out of all foriegn involvement alligned with Democrats who want the US out of Iraq because they want us to be more involved with the rest of the world....Do you agree with my conclusions about Democratic victories? What do you want from congress and the executive branch?

Would a federal Dream Act for illegal Mexicans be a good thing? How about a federal medical plan? How about amnesty for all illegal Mexicans?

How do you think Obama will work across party lines? Will he agree to drill in Alaska? How exactly will he work with Republicans?

[Joe Steel]

Conservatives say America is conservative but when polled issue by issue, Americans choose progressive responses.

What do Americans want?

Big Government.

[avatar4321]

Honestly, I don't think the people know what they want. But I think I know.

They want leadership. Think about it. What are they really looking for in a President? Why do Democrats get so much support? I dont think its because they promise the entitlements. I think its because they making people think the government and their politicians will lead to solutions. They have lost faith in themselves.

That is the problem we have as conservatives. We dont only have to fight against growing government. we have to teach the people how to be self reliant. How to be their own leaders. They want to be free, but they don't know how.

[MtnBiker]

What do Americans want?

Big Government.


People want to pay more taxes, have more regulation, more bureaucracy, and more inefficiency?

[avatar4321]

People want to pay more taxes, have more regulation, more bureaucracy, and more inefficiency?

not to mention no right to defend themselves, no property, and no free speech or religion.

That is why i think its more a leadership issue.

[Classact]

Conservatives say America is conservative but when polled issue by issue, Americans choose progressive responses.

What do Americans want?

Big Government.Joe, you make good points but I think you are wrong about the people wanting Big Government.

I have a very liberal, anti war sister-in-law that is pro unions, pro gun, pro gay rights, pro conservative judges, pro religion... but she is pro soldiers anti illegal immigrant, pro American, anti free trade.

In 2000 & 2004 a majority of people were pro national security and anti gay rights. Remember Security Moms, Soccer Moms and all the states with legislation against gays being on the ballot causing many to go to the polls that might not have otherwise?

Everyone, well not everyone but 90% were in agreement to go to war with Iraq... America wanted the smart assed Saddam made history after he played games with us over a decade... it wasn't so much about nukes or WMD's it was about he had declared the US as an enemy... the terrorists hit the twin towers and we struck Afghanistan but here was Saddam still giving us the finger and every person in possession of common sense considered that he had WMD's and that since we were his enemy he would probably give some to the terrorists. It was the press and the Democratic Party[B] that moved that good common sense into fairy land when they saw a political opening to hurt the other party as too many soldiers were dieing and no WMD's were found. [B]It, the disdain for the war was all invented since 90% supported Bush as we entered the war.... We all feared that our soldiers would be gassed with chemicals and biological agents as they entered the war... tell the truth, Bush didn't lie and 90% of America supported the action.

You say most Americans support Progressive issues... well, yes in some instances like the world isn't flat, we use computers and cell phones but most Americans still don't support gay unions or allowing adult/child sex or any common immoral activity... Most Americans support war, see above! They will support war again when Iran invades Iraq and gas hits $12.00 a gallon from an early withdraw from Iraq. Define what progressive issues the majority of Americans support.

[Joe Steel]

People want to pay more taxes, have more regulation, more bureaucracy, and more inefficiency?

First of all, efficiency is irrelevant. Americans want effective government. They want the services government provides. If they can get them efficiently, fine. But if the can't it's not a problem, as long as they get the service.

Secondly, taxes don't matter if Government provides a service the People want. During WWII the top marginal tax rate was near 100% and no one cared because the American people wanted to win the war. Americans are willing to pay whatever price they must to reach the goal. So, yes. Americans want more taxes.

Finally, regulation is one America fondest dreams. Ever hear the expression "There oughta be a law?" That's America saying make effective rules and enforce them.

[avatar4321]

First of all, efficiency is irrelevant. Americans want effective government. They want the services government provides. If they can get them efficiently, fine. But if the can't it's not a problem, as long as they get the service.

Secondly, taxes don't matter if Government provides a service the People want. During WWII the top marginal tax rate was near 100% and no one cared because the American people wanted to win the war. Americans are willing to pay whatever price they must to reach the goal. So, yes. Americans want more taxes.

Finally, regulation is one America fondest dreams. Ever hear the expression "There oughta be a law?" That's America saying make effective rules and enforce them.

That's an absolute contradicion. How can you say efficiency is irrelevant and yet want effective. By definition a bueacracy cannot be effective while being unefficient.

And trust me, people care about taxes.

Americas fondest dream is not creating laws.

[MtnBiker]

Government isn't effective now, making it bigger and paying more for it will not make it more effective.

Comparing tax rates now to a time that there was a World War is absurd, do you suggest we also have government issued food ration stamps?

[typomaniac]

The people want what they've always wanted and can never have:

No taxes, and a government that can guarantee them a lovely, abundant life.

[Classact]

The people want what they've always wanted and can never have:

No taxes, and a government that can guarantee them a lovely, abundant life.The Dem's answer is poor folks pay nothing in retrun for votes ... hey, we will take it from the rich fat cats, we're Robin Hood but the rich fat cats will be the middle class by the time the poor are satisified.

[manu1959]

First of all, efficiency is irrelevant. Americans want effective government. They want the services government provides. If they can get them efficiently, fine. But if the can't it's not a problem, as long as they get the service.

Secondly, taxes don't matter if Government provides a service the People want. During WWII the top marginal tax rate was near 100% and no one cared because the American people wanted to win the war. Americans are willing to pay whatever price they must to reach the goal. So, yes. Americans want more taxes.

Finally, regulation is one America fondest dreams. Ever hear the expression "There oughta be a law?" That's America saying make effective rules and enforce them.

i can not think of one effective government service.....

i can not think of any government service that i would give more money....

i can not think of any more rules or regulations there ought to be......

no when i watch some of these candidates they seem to think all the servcies they provide are effective....they want to add more and take more of my money to create more departments no more effectively than the ones they have have now......then they will pass laws forcing me to participate in their ineffective programs.....

name one successfully business on the planet that is run this way.....

[typomaniac]

The Dem's answer is poor folks pay nothing in retrun for votes ... hey, we will take it from the rich fat cats, we're Robin Hood but the rich fat cats will be the middle class by the time the poor are satisified.

And the pubbies' answer is, "We don't give a shit; we'll just grind everyone but our richest buddies into the dust." :)

[stephanie]

And the puppies' answer is, "We don't give a shit; we'll just grind everyone but our richest buddies into the dust." :)

Bull..

You must of missed the study that said, conservative were more generous giving to charities than liberals..

All we(I) want, is to keep more of government intrusion into our lives than necessary..:cheers2:

[typomaniac]

Bull..
And so is: "The rich will all be middle class by the time the poor are satisfied."

[manu1959]

And so is: "The rich will all be middle class by the time the poor are satisfied."

isn't the goal to get all the poor to be middle class ?

[avatar4321]

isn't the goal to get all the poor to be middle class ?

Well it would be if you wanted to actually help the poor. But if they were focused on lifting the poor up rather than tearing the rich down, they wouldnt be liberals.

[manu1959]

Well it would be if you wanted to actually help the poor. But if they were focused on lifting the poor up rather than tearing the rich down, they wouldnt be liberals.

do all the dem leaders give away all their stuff till they are middle class as well....or do they become the ruling class like the "party" in the USSR...?

[stephanie]

As I see it..

There should be very few reasons why a person should stay poor in this country..

All it takes is some drive and determination to "work" yourself out of poor..I know...I did it..:cheers2:

The opportunities are here in the United States...you just can't make everyone who is too damn lazy to go out and take them..
So that is where.... I don't see why I should be forced into taking care of them all their life with my hard earned TAXES....

call me cruel if you like....I don't care

[PostmodernProphet]

Do you agree with my conclusions about Democratic victories? What do you want from congress and the executive branch?

Would a federal Dream Act for illegal Mexicans be a good thing? How about a federal medical plan? How about amnesty for all illegal Mexicans?

How do you think Obama will work across party lines? Will he agree to drill in Alaska? How exactly will he work with Republicans?


I agree that unless the Republicans convince voters they will conduct themselves with more fiscal restraint than they showed the last seven years, the Democrats will secure control of Congress and the White House.....

I want the Congress and executive branch to do as little as possible for me.....

We need a functioning worker visa program.....we need a functioning health care system.....

I dont forsee any necessity for a Democrat president to work with the Republicans.....he will a veto proof Democrat majority.....however, I wonder if the Democrats in Congress will work with Obama.....

and no, Obama will not drill in Alaska.....drilling in Alaska might have eliminated our current fuel problems if it had started ten years ago.....it is too late for that now

[Immanuel]

All we(I) want, is to keep more of government intrusion into our lives than necessary..:cheers2:

Okay, Steph, help me here, is that really what you meant? You want to keep more of government intrusion into our lives than necessary?

Were you being sarcastic or was that just a very poorly written sentence? As a conservative, I want less government intrusion into my life! Would you please clarify what you really want here?

As for me, if I could have a wish here, what I would like is a government that I can trust! I want people to lead this country who have integrity. I don't want the Ted Kennedy's, John Kerry's or George Bush's. I want the men and women of America who are not beholden to special interests and that care for this country like I do to run this country. Unfortunately, people like me don't want to be a part of the corruption of American politics and wouldn't take the job if a gun were held to our heads.

Immie

[stephanie]

Okay, Steph, help me here, is that really what you meant? You want to keep more of government intrusion into our lives than necessary?

Were you being sarcastic or was that just a very poorly written sentence? As a conservative, I want less government intrusion into my life! Would you please clarify what you really want here?

As for me, if I could have a wish here, what I would like is a government that I can trust! I want people to lead this country who have integrity. I don't want the Ted Kennedy's, John Kerry's or George Bush's. I want the men and women of America who are not beholden to special interests and that care for this country like I do to run this country. Unfortunately, people like me don't want to be a part of the corruption of American politics and wouldn't take the job if a gun were held to our heads.

Immie

Ah..shucks..

I totally screwed that sentence up..Of course I meant... GOVERNMENT "OUT" of our lives..


There's too much government intrusion into our lives now...

[Classact]

I agree that unless the Republicans convince voters they will conduct themselves with more fiscal restraint than they showed the last seven years, the Democrats will secure control of Congress and the White House.....

I want the Congress and executive branch to do as little as possible for me.....So you would support Fred as Prez with 40 Repubs in the Senate... stalemate?


We need a functioning worker visa program.....we need a functioning health care system.....We need to close immigration until everything is sorted out... Homeland Security introduced the "real ID" today and when all the illegals leave they can reenter with a real ID.

A functioning healt care system? Americans need to wean themselves from government health care. They also need to wean themselves from trial lawyers! A child gets her guts sucked out by a swimming pool pump don't call a frigging trial lawyer, call on the government that gave the pool company the right to do business and offer that company the right to continue business if they make it "right". If a doctor causes harm doing doctor work do the same... make it right or end the license. In stead of using the lottery to fund parks and walking trails let the proceeds fund extreme medical cases in the middle class. End union medical plans that trap businesses and give citizens the right to collectively bargin for medical insurance across America. NO Company insurance, just compensation for the work performed... let the people buy insurance from competing insurance companies.


I dont forsee any necessity for a Democrat president to work with the Republicans.....he will a veto proof Democrat majority.....however, I wonder if the Democrats in Congress will work with Obama.....For the first two years if he is elected, after that the House of Representatives will be 90% Republican because he will destroy foreign policy resulting in America calling for his and all Dem's heads. He will be less popular than President Carter within 18 months.


and no, Obama will not drill in Alaska.....drilling in Alaska might have eliminated our current fuel problems if it had started ten years ago.....it is too late for that nowSo, in your last paragraph and this on you assure he will work with congress equal to the way Bush works with the Dem's in congress... He then, has nothing to offer for the American people... perhaps he could convince the environmentalists to allow natural gas to be explored in federal parks? That would allow heating fuel to come down from nearly $8 to $2.50 a unit... that would allow industry to work in America where inexpensive fuel is necessary like brick manufacturing or cement... Natural gas could run electricity turbines with very clean environmental impact but it would require pissing off the environmentalists that support the Dem's.

[Abbey Marie]

Classact, I love the Jefferson quote in your sig. :clap:

[Classact]

Classact, I love the Jefferson quote in your sig. :clap:From Jay Leno's writers I think, I thought it was cute but Your sig is profound!

How will the American people sort out our division in Washington? The thought of Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi smiling as they send SCHIP to the new president's desk for signature supporting illegal Mexicans makes me want to puke. Actually, I would support an SCHIP bill for illegal Mexican children if it was offered in the light of day but not the way they want a new class of voters like the way they captured the Afro American vote. It isn't the illegal children's fault not the illegal's fault they are here... it is the federal government's fault.

[PostmodernProphet]

So you would support Fred as Prez with 40 Repubs in the Senate... stalemate?

well, on one hand unfettered Democrat control, on the other hand stalemate.....stalemate does appear more attractive........but, at present, stalemate seems to be destroying this country about as quickly as Democratic control.....I am torn......


We need to close immigration until everything is sorted out... Homeland Security introduced the "real ID" today and when all the illegals leave they can reenter with a real ID.

"until everything is sorted out".....been hearing that mantra too long.....that's one of the stalemate problems.....Congress needs to "sort it out" and sort it out NOW....the problem will never be sorted out if we don't create a workable system to put together people who want to work with people who want to hire them.....



A functioning healt care system? Americans need to wean themselves from government health care. They also need to wean themselves from trial lawyers! A child gets her guts sucked out by a swimming pool pump don't call a frigging trial lawyer, call on the government that gave the pool company the right to do business and offer that company the right to continue business if they make it "right". If a doctor causes harm doing doctor work do the same... make it right or end the license. In stead of using the lottery to fund parks and walking trails let the proceeds fund extreme medical cases in the middle class. End union medical plans that trap businesses and give citizens the right to collectively bargin for medical insurance across America. NO Company insurance, just compensation for the work performed... let the people buy insurance from competing insurance companies.


a functioning health care system does not necessarily equal government health care....but this is another stalemate issue.....even the health care system that is provided to federal workers (which everyone would love to be covered by) is operated by private companies, including BC/BS....here are some steps that are needed.....1) eliminate the deductibility of health insurance on corporate income taxes, 2) make employees pay income taxes on health care premiums paid by their employers (those two steps designed to reawaken everyone to how much health care is really costing them), 3) make health insurance understandable to the average person by mandating a few uniform types of coverage, so a person shopping for health care who is trying to compare apples and apples won't find out the one he picked has a huge worm in it....every insurance company must offer a plan A, B, and C and state their prices for A, B, and C....4) create a reinsurance fund like those used by most states for worker's comp.....5% of insured people burn up 80% of medical costs....all insurance companies contribute to a fund that covers the worst 5% of insureds (so there is no incentive for companies to dump customers with big bills).....5) make the federal insurance plan available to anyone willing to pay for it out of their own pocket (it is still cheaper per capita than any private plan, even though it is administered by the same private companies that I buy insurance from right now...that sucks)......6) and finally, if there is someone out there that for whatever reason, is temporarily unable to afford insurance it is cheaper for the government to help them with the cost of premiums than what we currently do (let the hospitals charge us higher rates to cover the losses from unpaid patients)......



For the first two years if he is elected, after that the House of Representatives will be 90% Republican because he will destroy foreign policy resulting in America calling for his and all Dem's heads. He will be less popular than President Carter within 18 months.

could be, but that isn't going to change the election THIS year....



So, in your last paragraph and this on you assure he will work with congress equal to the way Bush works with the Dem's in congress... He then, has nothing to offer for the American people... perhaps he could convince the environmentalists to allow natural gas to be explored in federal parks? That would allow heating fuel to come down from nearly $8 to $2.50 a unit... that would allow industry to work in America where inexpensive fuel is necessary like brick manufacturing or cement... Natural gas could run electricity turbines with very clean environmental impact but it would require pissing off the environmentalists that support the Dem's.

okay, let's cover some basics....we got a couple of different areas of energy consumption in the US......electricity is primarily produced by coal or natural gas in the US, both of which we have in abundant supply (though we had been importing a lot of NG from Canada because it was cheaper there before the Canadian dollar got to be par with the US dollar)...so, the increase in heating costs for businesses using NG has nothing at all to do with ANWAR or environmentalists and has everything to do with the relative value of the US and Canadian dollar.....

those businesses which use fuel oil and the transportation industry and consumer auto transportation are affected by ANWAR and the cost of oil/barrel going up......

but the volume of oil that could have been shipped out of ANWAR if it had been authorized ten years ago would not be sufficient today to alter the market value of a barrel of oil on the spot market....this is because, quite frankly, there is lots of oil available....oil has shot over 100 a barrel not because supply is limited or because demand has increased, but because speculators have been profiting over the price spread in the futures market.....20% of the cost of crude oil is purely profit for people who temporarily held a piece of paper which said they owned some oil somewhere in between the time it was pumped out of the ground and the time it arrived in a refinery....not because they produced oil not because they refined oil....simply because they invested in the futures market for oil......

and even that is not the sole problem we have.....because nobody is investing in refineries, we have another block on the free market exchange of fuel at that level......

basically, we have too few people involved in the production and distribution of fuel so the cost has become controllable......the way to break that is to convert to alternative fuel sources like biodiesel and ethanol, with production and refineries in every state producing fuel out of whatever they have in surplus whether it be corn in Iowa or switchgrass in Nevada or sugarbeets in Michigan....

increasing exploration for oil doesn't solve the problem, it merely postpones it....completely eliminating our use of foreign supplied petroleum is the answer....

[Classact]

well, on one hand unfettered Democrat control, on the other hand stalemate.....stalemate does appear more attractive........but, at present, stalemate seems to be destroying this country about as quickly as Democratic control.....I am torn......The stalemate is based on lobby's that get politicians elected... even if the Prez is clean the congress will be propped up by lobbies.




"until everything is sorted out".....been hearing that mantra too long.....that's one of the stalemate problems.....Congress needs to "sort it out" and sort it out NOW....the problem will never be sorted out if we don't create a workable system to put together people who want to work with people who want to hire them.....Agreed, but once again even there is not the only problem since the Dem's have a vested interest in having a faithful voting block, why would immigration solutions make sense to a politician that could just as easily guarantee a vote verses solving the problem?




a functioning health care system does not necessarily equal government health care....but this is another stalemate issue.....even the health care system that is provided to federal workers (which everyone would love to be covered by) is operated by private companies, including BC/BS....here are some steps that are needed.....1) eliminate the deductibility of health insurance on corporate income taxes, 2) make employees pay income taxes on health care premiums paid by their employers (those two steps designed to reawaken everyone to how much health care is really costing them), 3) make health insurance understandable to the average person by mandating a few uniform types of coverage, so a person shopping for health care who is trying to compare apples and apples won't find out the one he picked has a huge worm in it....every insurance company must offer a plan A, B, and C and state their prices for A, B, and C....4) create a reinsurance fund like those used by most states for worker's comp.....5% of insured people burn up 80% of medical costs....all insurance companies contribute to a fund that covers the worst 5% of insureds (so there is no incentive for companies to dump customers with big bills).....5) make the federal insurance plan available to anyone willing to pay for it out of their own pocket (it is still cheaper per capita than any private plan, even though it is administered by the same private companies that I buy insurance from right now...that sucks)......6) and finally, if there is someone out there that for whatever reason, is temporarily unable to afford insurance it is cheaper for the government to help them with the cost of premiums than what we currently do (let the hospitals charge us higher rates to cover the losses from unpaid patients)......Lobbies are in the way of the repair best for the country. Government control of private insurance sucks so many people won't use it, I'm retired and covered by Tri-Care but I only used it for two months before moving to my wife's company plan. Ideally, I would prefer that no company offered health care but gave pay increases in their stead... The government employees should not have unions and health care provided on my dime, we should all be competing nation wide for a competitive coverage. Only military active duty should be provided health care while on active duty. When the government operates something there is always fraud. For example if you are not paying the premiums and the doctor's secretary says sign two forms and there is no co-pay what will many people do? Double and triple billing is what is wrong with Medicare/Medicaid now. The litigation and doctor insurance as mentioned in earlier post are significant problems... lobbies again. You have some great ideas but how can any politician without Bloomberg finances ever implement them? It is not going to be the president writing the plan it will be those non-Bloomberg's depending on a lobby support base writing it.




could be, but that isn't going to change the election THIS year....



okay, let's cover some basics....we got a couple of different areas of energy consumption in the US......electricity is primarily produced by coal or natural gas in the US, both of which we have in abundant supply (though we had been importing a lot of NG from Canada because it was cheaper there before the Canadian dollar got to be par with the US dollar)...so, the increase in heating costs for businesses using NG has nothing at all to do with ANWAR or environmentalists and has everything to do with the relative value of the US and Canadian dollar.....Natural gas is abundant in the US in the Federal Parks of the West, there are supplies there that could reduce prices to $2.50 from almost $8.00... some of these reserves have already been tapped but cannot be sold because of environmental lobbyist influence, we would never need to go to Mexico or Canada for natural gas. We are planning to use liquefied natural gas as an alternative that is abundant in Alaska (already tapped) but everyone says no LNG bomb in my back yard so the prices stay high closing factories and increasing heating/electricity bills as coal is used to replace the low cost natural gas.


those businesses which use fuel oil and the transportation industry and consumer auto transportation are affected by ANWAR and the cost of oil/barrel going up......

but the volume of oil that could have been shipped out of ANWAR if it had been authorized ten years ago would not be sufficient today to alter the market value of a barrel of oil on the spot market....this is because, quite frankly, there is lots of oil available....oil has shot over 100 a barrel not because supply is limited or because demand has increased, but because speculators have been profiting over the price spread in the futures market.....20% of the cost of crude oil is purely profit for people who temporarily held a piece of paper which said they owned some oil somewhere in between the time it was pumped out of the ground and the time it arrived in a refinery....not because they produced oil not because they refined oil....simply because they invested in the futures market for oil......The oil industry has a vested interest in making profit and they can make profit from oil anywhere in the world, ideally if they make profit from oil purchased in the US from private of state/federal lands the money stays in our market making us more wealthy as a nation. As for the future markets they govern the prices world wide and not only in America and they are based on supply and demand and reality on the ground disruptions. If it were a US group of traders controlling the oil prices unfairly someone/government of other nations would undersell the "futures" established on the futures trading. The supply and demand are real and the prices on the margin of the futures protect the world from sudden spikes that would otherwise disrupt oil trade prices even more. Futures on winter wheat and corn are skyrocketing now and next year a loaf of bread will go up to three dollars and it is not make believe it is supply and demand.


and even that is not the sole problem we have.....because nobody is investing in refineries, we have another block on the free market exchange of fuel at that level......Again, two competing interests, environmentalist and oil companies. Oil companies want the highest prices for the base product they produce or buy from foreign sources, oil can be plentiful but gas can be in shortage causing prices to remain high. Oil companies use changing seasons as the excuse every year to switch over form heating fuel to producing gas. At the same time environmentalists fill the courts with trial lawyers making it near impossible to build new refineries even if the oil companies wanted to compete internally.


basically, we have too few people involved in the production and distribution of fuel so the cost has become controllable......the way to break that is to convert to alternative fuel sources like biodiesel and ethanol, with production and refineries in every state producing fuel out of whatever they have in surplus whether it be corn in Iowa or switchgrass in Nevada or sugarbeets in Michigan....

increasing exploration for oil doesn't solve the problem, it merely postpones it....completely eliminating our use of foreign supplied petroleum is the answer....I agree with alternative sources of energy but the use of food crops to produce it will destroy our economy, remember the wheat/corn futures? We need to drill, open natural gas in federal lands, drill off shore for oil and natural gas and at the same time develop alternatives with healthy government subsidies or tax breaks. Giving money to Iowa farmers get politicians elected but causes inflation causing our food prices to skyrocket. There are thousands of hydro methods to create energy that are untapped that could be used to produce very cheap electricity... with very cheap electric power one could afford an investment in hybrid autos or public transportation in built up urban areas, but the environmentalist will fight tooth and nail to resist using water flowing down hill in any manner.