This past week I’ve been traveling with little opportunity to post, but what a dynamic week it has been. Markets have been volatile and subject to the usual economic whims, but especially of the oil trades and the weather. And two candidates, like ‘em or not, debate the energy issues with very different views for the nation’s future.Â
I’ve had the chance to drive almost 2,000 miles throughout the central and northern U.S. the past week, and I can say firsthand that people are frustrated, dismayed, upset and bewildered by how fuel prices have skyrocketed so far this year.  So many families are hurting, and the higher costs of fuel take that money away from the family budget. It’s real, it’s painful, and it’s changing how we live and drive in this nation. I’ve seen dozens of small gas stations and other shops closed in smaller towns because they didn’t recieve enough business to pay the bills.  Tourism is way down in so many areas, and the locals are struggling. I’ve paid for fuel from the high $3.90’s up to well past $4.25 per gallon on the trip, and never cease to find someone else at the pump groaning. Do most of these people think alternative energy is the way to go? Yes, if we can afford it and it doesn’t hurt the economy.  Right now, that’s not the case.
Most of these same people seem to wonder why we don’t simply produce more oil at home, and do more to get oil prices down. It’s as simple as that.  Why are we sending trillions of American dollars to nations in Latin America and the Middle East?Â
Personally I think the only way ahead for the nation to become energy independent without crippling the American family and economy further over the next 10 years is to robustly drill for more oil at home, and find new ways to generate power without using oil from foreign sources.  Senator McCain cites nuclear energy as one solution in addition to drilling more here at home.  That’s fine with me.  Senator Obama says we can end oil dependence in our lifetimes. That’s fine with me too. But are we going to destroy the American family and economy while keeping that smiling Green face on?  I really wish our political leaders would work harder to find a way ahead.  Until then, we still need that Energy Summit.
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