tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095293932110901970.post3786392724982642368..comments2023-12-14T04:18:10.912-06:00Comments on Please Take Me Back. To Mississippi.: Random thoughts while working on a Saturday......Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294694946574994128noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095293932110901970.post-18535673248195978762008-07-26T20:59:00.000-05:002008-07-26T20:59:00.000-05:00Just say "No" to Drunk Blogging!!Just say "No" to Drunk Blogging!!DPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10661276143316011414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095293932110901970.post-39363601520249725912008-07-26T20:50:00.000-05:002008-07-26T20:50:00.000-05:00You may have just ended Meredith's career. Hope y...You may have just ended Meredith's career. Hope you're happy.<BR/><BR/>The first I had heard of T. Boone Pickens' plan was when the WSJ published something from him a couple weeks ago. I think it's obvious that our energy future will consist of a number of sources (wind and solar being a part). I also don't think anyone that supports opening up more areas to drilling is suggesting that we "drill our way out of this." (NOTE, I don't think Pickens used those words, but it has come up recently from politicians and Pickens does seem to be on the <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil" REL="nofollow">Peak Oil</A> train). He basically loses me right about here, "On January 20th, 2009, a new President will take office."<BR/><BR/>To save myself some trouble, there were a couple of responses in the 7/12 WSJ that cover most of my feelings on the matter.<BR/><BR/>=============================<BR/>If wind energy were a sensible economic investment, it would not need the lavish federal and state subsidies already in place, or the additional largesse sought by Mr. Pickens. Likewise, if compressed natural gas vehicles are an economically sensible alternative to conventional gasoline-powered vehicles, then no government "master plan" is necessary to deliver them to market. Price signals will induce investors to invest and consumers to buy without government having to lift a finger. The same goes for all the other energy-related research and development for which Mr. Pickens would like the taxpayer to dole out. If that R&D is promising, it will be pursued whether government subsidizes it or not.<BR/><BR/>Jerry Taylor<BR/>Senior Fellow<BR/>The Cato Institute<BR/>Washington<BR/>=============================<BR/><BR/>Those who argue that America is addicted to energy are quick to point out that we consume 25% of the world's energy although we are only about 4% of the population. Funny how they fail to point out that we produce 28% of the world's gross domestic product with a mere 4% of population.<BR/><BR/>Drill more in the U.S., strengthen the dollar, succeed in efforts to stabilize the Middle East, and oil prices will decline. It's not as sexy as the captains of industry saving us or the simplicity of central planning, but unlike those solutions these steps will work.<BR/><BR/>Greg Blankenship<BR/>President<BR/>Illinois Policy Institute<BR/>Springfield, Ill.<BR/>=============================Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06788784498022002914noreply@blogger.com