TheJPRD
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2012
- Messages
- 417
There is no one answer that will solve all of our energy problems. However, there are steps we can take to gain much more control over the problem! Since I am an American citizen, my use of the word "Control" speaks only to the control my own country has over its energy needs. For the sake of avoiding argument, I'm assuming that the USA can do nothing to control the energy-related behaviors of any other nation.
To solve a problem, the 1st Step is to clearly state WHAT the problem is! In my opinion, the US energy problem must be stated in terms of (1) controlling "energy costs" to every extent possible so that the average citizen is best able to afford it, and (2) "energy availability" so that American citizens never have to worry about shortages, nor that other nations can control our country's behavior through energy-extortion!
One conclusion jumps immediately to mind upon stating the problem in these terms: The United States MUST gain and maintain ready access to every ounce of energy over which it has territorial control!
Here's a simple analogy that proves the point: Assume that you own a farm of 100 acres, and that two of your neighbors own farms, each of 100 acres too. Assume next that one of your neighbors has 80 acres of his property planted in edible foodstuffs, that your other neighbor has only 5 acres planted in foodstuffs, and that you have 20 acres planted in foodstuffs. Assume next that you and your neighbors ONLY have access to the foods grown on your combined properties. These assumptions establish a starting point for both "Supply" and "Demand". Assume that the "You" in this analogy is the USA, that our Demand for Food increases 10% each year for 10 straight years, and that the Demands of our neighbors increase by the same percentage each year. The final assumption is that "You" (USA) are the only neighbor who increases his planted acreage every year (an additional 5 acres per-year in years 2-5, and an additional 8 acres per-year in years 6-10, ending with 80 acres planted) , whereas neither of your neighbors increase their planted acreage. In the first year of this example, the USA's Demand for Food comprises 33% of the total neighborhood Demand, and the USA's Supply of Food comprises 7% of the total neighborhood supply. In Year #1, the USA controls only 20% of the Food Supply it needs. By the 10th year in this example, the USA controls 27% of the total neighborhood Supply of Food (not 7% as in Year #1), and now controls 80% of its entire National Demand (not 20% as in Year #1).
This analogy can't predict what the price of Food will be. It DOES prove that by increasing the Supply over which we have territorial control, we've managed to increase our control over the Food we need from 20% to 80%. We would then possess (A) More international power in the Food Market, and thus more control over what the international price of Food will be. Additionally, we'd possess (B) More power over our own destiny, and we'd be far less susceptable to any price-extortion by a neighbor who controls far more of the Supply than we do.
This example applies as easily to "Energy" as it does to "Food". It's true that the US President doesn't control the price of energy, nor does the US Congress. Jointly, however, they DO control our nations energy policies! We need a President and Congress willing to increase our energy Supply to the maximum, ensuring that the United States will control its own energy destiny, and not leave us to the tender mercies of some other world power! THAT, the President & Congress CAN do, and AREN"T!
To solve a problem, the 1st Step is to clearly state WHAT the problem is! In my opinion, the US energy problem must be stated in terms of (1) controlling "energy costs" to every extent possible so that the average citizen is best able to afford it, and (2) "energy availability" so that American citizens never have to worry about shortages, nor that other nations can control our country's behavior through energy-extortion!
One conclusion jumps immediately to mind upon stating the problem in these terms: The United States MUST gain and maintain ready access to every ounce of energy over which it has territorial control!
Here's a simple analogy that proves the point: Assume that you own a farm of 100 acres, and that two of your neighbors own farms, each of 100 acres too. Assume next that one of your neighbors has 80 acres of his property planted in edible foodstuffs, that your other neighbor has only 5 acres planted in foodstuffs, and that you have 20 acres planted in foodstuffs. Assume next that you and your neighbors ONLY have access to the foods grown on your combined properties. These assumptions establish a starting point for both "Supply" and "Demand". Assume that the "You" in this analogy is the USA, that our Demand for Food increases 10% each year for 10 straight years, and that the Demands of our neighbors increase by the same percentage each year. The final assumption is that "You" (USA) are the only neighbor who increases his planted acreage every year (an additional 5 acres per-year in years 2-5, and an additional 8 acres per-year in years 6-10, ending with 80 acres planted) , whereas neither of your neighbors increase their planted acreage. In the first year of this example, the USA's Demand for Food comprises 33% of the total neighborhood Demand, and the USA's Supply of Food comprises 7% of the total neighborhood supply. In Year #1, the USA controls only 20% of the Food Supply it needs. By the 10th year in this example, the USA controls 27% of the total neighborhood Supply of Food (not 7% as in Year #1), and now controls 80% of its entire National Demand (not 20% as in Year #1).
This analogy can't predict what the price of Food will be. It DOES prove that by increasing the Supply over which we have territorial control, we've managed to increase our control over the Food we need from 20% to 80%. We would then possess (A) More international power in the Food Market, and thus more control over what the international price of Food will be. Additionally, we'd possess (B) More power over our own destiny, and we'd be far less susceptable to any price-extortion by a neighbor who controls far more of the Supply than we do.
This example applies as easily to "Energy" as it does to "Food". It's true that the US President doesn't control the price of energy, nor does the US Congress. Jointly, however, they DO control our nations energy policies! We need a President and Congress willing to increase our energy Supply to the maximum, ensuring that the United States will control its own energy destiny, and not leave us to the tender mercies of some other world power! THAT, the President & Congress CAN do, and AREN"T!
