As a candidate in the year 2000, candidate George Bush made strong attacks against the Clinton energy policy, critical that 56% of all oil was imported in those days. And despite some public claims by Bush of support for alternatve energy programs and programs to cut American consumption, the demand for oil has only grown and now 2/3 of all oil used in the U.S. is imported.
Like so many politicians who make a lot of noise just to get elected, there never was any serious White House efforts in the Bush years to cut American oil demand and to keep prices lower by lowering this demand.
And Americans only continue to buy large SUVs and trucks, even as gas prices again soar over $3 a gallon and oil flirts with the $100 a barrel price level. Oil was just $2 a barrel back in 1973 by comparison.
Empires such as the Soviet Union have collapsed from economic problems. The U.S. is also setting itself up for a huge new economic mess by a faling dollar, huge energy price inflation, a big trade deficit, foreign banks that finance a huge federal government budget deficit and other serious economic problems. Food prices are proving steady inflation due to both changes in the climate as well as sky high energy prices. It is not uncommon for many food items to have sudden 19-39cent price increases on the shelves of stores. All of this only adds up and means a big danger to the American economy and consumer.
Recession or other serious economic problems often follow huge energy price increases like clockwork. Unless oil prices start to roll back very soon, then the wheeels are in motion for serious problems for the American economy in the coming months.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar