It's not all gloom and doom for the Rust Belt these days. In fact, this NY Times article shows how the best days might be ahead for states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Iowa.
Three thoughts (that just so happen to be ones we've been saying here at The Relevant Elephant) stood out while reading this article:
Here's a little Halloween treat for you: more Chump Change.
Obama Change: Invest in research for renewable energy and not drill for oil on U.S. land
Chump Change: Increase gas prices during the decades it will take our country to get off oil and not allow for a comprehensive energy plan
That cross-country trip you’ve been planning should be affordable by 2036—that is, if your car is powered by the audacity of hope.
In 1970, we imported 24% of our oil.
Today it's nearly 70% and growing.
T. Boone Pickens' advertisements have been all over television the past several months. If his name alone doesn't scream 'oil baron', his slow, Texas accent certainly does.
The Pickens Plan is clear: we must reduce our dependence on foreign oil. He's positioning the issue as a matter of national security ... and it is.
As mentioned in a previous entry, natural gas could eventually power our cars, which would be a good alternative to foreign oil. According to this New York Times article, Pelosi is investing in a company that produces natural gas for use in automobiles. While her investment is controversial (a potential conflict of interest with her role as Speaker of the House), Pelosi dismisses any such suggestion: "I'm investing in something I believe in."
Whatever you think of the ethical ramifications, Pelosi could make some serious dough with recent increases in natural gas production. America's natural gas production is rising faster than it has at any point in the past 50 years because of new technologies related to drilling. This may be good news for all Americans for two reasons.
Last time we took a look at expanding both fossil fuel production and the kinds of fossil fuels produced. While further exploration of fossil fuels is a necessary part of energy relief, the development of alternative energy technology is imperative if the U.S. is to achieve energy independence. So let’s look at what’s needed for alternative energy to catch on as well as the benefits of switching.
First, if alternative energy is to succeed, it needs to be marketed in a new light. Conservatives are a funny breed, and if the Left is all for something, that’s usually enough of a reason for them oppose it (although to be honest, liberals are the same way).
The term “fossil fuel” has become a dirty word when discussing energy policy. Not only are they responsible for draining our pocketbooks at the pump, they also destroy the environment and may or may not fund terrorism. Outrageous!
The unfortunate truth, however, is that for the foreseeable future our economy will continue to run on fossil fuels, primarily oil. Thus we need a short-term (fossil fuel) and long-term (green technology) energy strategy garnered toward delivering a cheap, reliable, domestically produced supply of energy.