I disagree somewhat with this statement:

quote:

Drilling everywhere will reduce our dependence on foreign oil by...

...By so little that it's essentially meaningless, as evidenced by how little it would affect world supply, and price.

The government price effect estimates seemed to assume that the only effect of the new oil would be a linear change of the supply-demand price point. I think the actual price difference would be somewhat greater, because so much of the high price of oil futures is based on uncertainty of supply as a result of violence or political turmoil in oil producing countries. Having a greater domestic supply of oil would serve to shrink that effect. Even if the amount of oil there is small relative to the world markets, it would increase our ability to weather short-term supply shortages.

Other benefits of drilling are: tens of thousands of jobs, more profits for American companies/stockholders, increased tax revenues on the new profits and income, and whatever fees the government can extract for the use of the land (hundreds of millions?).

I would support a proposal that put into place the highest reasonable environmental standards in the world, other government restrictions to minimize the risk of disasters, and publicly auctioned off annnual leases of the land/area to the highest bidder. The downside seems minimal to me.

I understand that most of the benefits of new drilling are years away, but isnt that argument the reason that we arent reaping them today?

I also support more nuclear energy. McCain's proposal looks like it would end up with nearly half of America's energy being nuclear. If my estimate there is correct, than it would be the emmissions equivalent of taking every car in America off the road. Sounds good to me. And it is actually practical; it means something. We know how nuclear technology works. We can build and run the plants. We know how much the emissions savings will be. We know what kind of jobs it will create. As opposed to "$10 billion a year in new technology research. it will create some jobs..."



I think Webb spoke for alot of people that felt that affirmative action had BECOME state sponsered racism. I understand that wasnt the intention, but at some point people stop caring about the warm fuzzies in Washington and look at the realities of how they are being affected.



other stuff....

quote:

Other benefits of drilling are: tens of thousands of jobs, more profits for American companies/stockholders, increased tax revenues on the new profits and income, and whatever fees the government can extract for the use of the land (hundreds of millions?).

Couldnt we achieve the same results on alternative fuels?
Drilling and oil in the future is a moot point,may as well look to something more long lasting and benefits all of us rather than the same old thing.

quote:

Originally posted by danamal:

quote:

Other benefits of drilling are: tens of thousands of jobs, more profits for American companies/stockholders, increased tax revenues on the new profits and income, and whatever fees the government can extract for the use of the land (hundreds of millions?).

Couldnt we achieve the same results on alternative fuels?
Drilling and oil in the future is a moot point,may as well look to something more long lasting and benefits all of us rather than the same old thing.

Neither one alone is going to answer the problem.

1. Drill for oil here at home. More supply will drive down the cost thus helping people in the short term. Since the price of oil is inflated anyway on speculation, as soon as this options becomes available the price will drop as people bail and try to cash out.

2. Look for Alt Fuel sources. There is nothing out there that is going to help the averge joe in the next couple of years. By the time an Alt fuel becomes available inflation will have wrecked the economy if oil is left unchecked. Lets also not talk about Hybids. At the moment they are not affordable to the averge joe if you can even find one. I know as I am looking. Dealers here are marking them up 3 to 6K over MSRP because they can. Most are going out to Cal where they can mark them up 10K. It is going to be at least 3 more years before Hybids become afforable to the middle class.

Thus solution: Dill for oil to relieve pressure on us and drop oil prices. Put more money (tax incentives) on alt fuel. So that 5 to 10 years down the road we have solution. Also look making what is available more accessable to the public.

This really is not that hard if both sides would decide to act instead of pointing fingers.