If It’s the Economy Stupid, Then it’s All About Energy Cost.

Most are aware of how dismal the economy was during the Carter administration.  Yet not many point to the cost of energy which at the time, was very high, as the primary reason.  Remember the lines to get gasoline for your car in the 70’s? It was clear then that the OPEC nations had more control over our economy than any of us wanted to believe. Today, it is no different. The cost of energy is what is stagnating our economy and few officials want to tackle this issue head on.   

Just as Carter was blamed for the bleak economy during his administration, Reagan was often given credit for the recovery during his. Perhaps both are justifiable, but not for the reasons most talked about.  Through a number of strategic maneuvers orchestrated by Reagan and his administration officials, the price of oil began to drop during the Reagan years. Oil first, then gas and coal became less expensive. Once energy costs began to drop, the economy got better, businesses began to grow again, all of which instigated a drop in unemployment.

Too often the Clinton administration is given credit for the 1990’s boom economy.  I can’t think of a single Clinton economic policy that had any impact. However, Oil and gas prices continued to be at low levels during the 1990’s. Add that to the tech revolution and you have and economic powerhouse. Everyone lived better because they were not spending as much on energy. Businesses were delivery products at good prices because their energy costs were low.

So, it is simple.  To help the most American people do better, we need to find ways to lower the cost of energy. Not one single thing can do more for the most people than that. How? That too is simple .  We need to build pipelines, drill wells, and create more energy infrastructure here in the good ol’ US OF A.

We need a network of natural gas fueling stations. We need access to taxpayer lands for drilling. We the people own the land and should therefore have access to it and quit allowing the environmental groups to hold the rest of us hostage.

 So, what’s the recipe?  We could cure a lot of what is hurting the American people by considering the following:

We have the reserves in North America to virtually eliminate OPEC as a factor in the future.

Many jobs and economic growth can be created by the energy sector if government got out of the way. 

Lower energy prices, more jobs and less or no dependency non OPEC would support generations of American families. 

Sounds like we need to get this moving now.