Kill or Drill

Why has there been so much American blood shed in the middle east? The answer is simple. The oil that flows from that region is the life blood of our economy. Politicians have for decades done whatever is necessary to protect the flow of that oil because without it being available at a moderate price to American consumers, our economy would crumble. However, the cost of having that oil is far more expensive than most fully understand.  

When you consider the indirect cost of American blood and money to provide security for the region and to participate in the various wars , the real price of a barrel of oil is perhaps some multiple of the published price. In reality, the real cost of oil to Americans is more like hundreds or even thousands of dollars per barrel. We will continue to pay for this oil in a number of ways into the future even if we managed to achieve energy independence.  For example; Thousands of military veterans and their families will require taxpayer assistance which they have earned for decades to come. They were sent to far away lands to protect American interests. Oil.

 

Some will argue that we do what we do for humanitarian reasons. While that may make those who make the decisions to send troops into harms way feel better about the actions they take, if it were not for our appetite for oil, I doubt we would have been as active in the middle east over the last 50 years. 

We now have other options. For the first time in a long time, the native oil and gas industry has improved our domestic oil production and now has energy independence within the realm of possibility. New technology and new discoveries have provided hope that energy independence is achievable. Obstacles from government and environmental groups should be removed and American ingenuity should be allowed to progress. 

 

The economic benefits from a more aggressive domestic energy development program would benefit the most people in the shortest period of time. Such a move toward energy independence would restart the economy and make this nation the proud economic powerhouse it once was.

This could  all be accomplished in an environmentally friendly manner and create more opportunity for American workers than any other idea out there. And consider this: Bombs and missiles do more harm to the earth and its inhabitants than the oil and gas industry ever could. The human and environmental impact of war far exceeds any harm presented by industry. The time has come for Americans to shift its focus to doing what is best for Americans. I think most people would rather drill for oil than kill for it.