Global warming?

[Undertoad]

Originally Posted by Redux

And we can only accomplish that by a further reliance on fossil fuels and, if we want to be solely reliant on US oil, by drilling in sensitive environmental areas, which will still not meet US demand?

Another day, another Redux straw man.

There is no evidence that reducing (not eliminating) our reliance on fossil fuels by reasonable amounts over a period of time (20+ yrs) would weaken the economy....unless you believe the "sky is falling" oil industry and free market crowd

Well I took Econ 101 so I understand that artificially limiting supply raises prices. If that means I'm part of the "free market crowd" then I guess I am outside the group of people whom you will listen to. Pity.

Another weak argument....much like the arguments made decades ago about the tough environmental laws that were enacted (they cost too much, they will make the US less competitive....). In fact, the economy became more diverse and innovative and thus stronger.

Can you see it now? This is productivity. The Clean Air Acts of 1963, 1970, 1977, the Clean Water Acts of 1972, 1977 and 1987 took their toll on it. I think these were positive, necessary steps. I think China is skipping a similar change so they can grow their economy at the most rapid rate. At some point energy will be cheaper to China than it is to the US. Since the Chinese population is four times the US,... how much ya want to hobble the US in dealing with them? Another two decades?

To also put this into perspective, if productivity growth is less than zero, your children will live a lower standard of living than you do.