While I was out of action, one of the largest discussions around the web was domestic oil production and refining. While we continue to pump a lot of oil domestically, we have vast reserves that have yet to be developed. While it is good that we keep “reserves” for future use, there is no reason why we aren’t taking advantage of our natural resources when we are so heavily dependent on other nations for our oil needs. But just as there vast undeveloped oil fields in the US, there is an equally vast supply of opinions on this topic from our friends across the internet. Below are 10 views by our fellow bloggers that I believe you might find of interest.

From Vulcan’s Hammer: “Let’s Nationalize The Refiners!!”

This is how far this country has gone down the looney road, folks. I guess some of our citizens have already forgotten the failed socialist experiments of decades past. No sir, it seems that we need to repeat some of these mistakes, so that we may feel the sting of its boot upon our collective butts. To the fore comes the specter of American style Resource Nationalism—it’s not just for Saudi’s and Russians anymore. Look Chavez, we wanna be just like you!

From Tom Rants: “NIMBY elitists not really environmentalists”

With offshore drilling, especially now with gas prices over $4/gallon nationally, it’s the snobbish, elitist, Not-in-my-backyard Floridians and Californians against the rest of the country. Those who stand in the way of offshore drilling in the name are hurting the economy, hurting our national security, hurting the poor, hurting the working class and, oh by the way, hurting the environment all in the name of not spoiling their view with an oil platform.

From The Ramblings of an Inquisitive Idiot: “To Open Or not To Open…..Off Shore Drilling, Is It Time To Discuss It?”

With the high price of gas and diesel people are emphasizing efficiently with their vehicles and cutting the amount of miles they drive. Both candidates are also coming out with their own energy plans. McCain is declaring for off shore drilling to begin and Obama against it. I doubt we can drill our way to self sufficiency but it might help a little bit to allow drilling. I do not think it is advisable for our state – South Carolina – to take the chance. Our largest industry is tourism with the beaches being the primary draw. A spill off the coast would devastate the beaches and maybe even offshore sport fishing which creates a lot of jobs also. Perhaps lifting the federal moratorium on offshore drilling may be a good idea for some states but they need to weigh the benefits against possible repercussions that may arise. I think that deep water drilling can be done safely but it must be done carefully. It won’t affect prices right away and might take years to bring any on line if we even did any drilling. I still have very serious worries about offshore drilling but perhaps it is something we need to discuss further. I still disagree with opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling at this time. So I agree on one point with McCain and one point with Obama. Actually a lot more with Obama than McCain but I do agree with at least one point on McCains energy plan.

From Polisicks: “Lack of Oil Ships Makes New Offshore Drilling Locals Difficult.”

So at what point do we start looking into alternative energy? Like seriously – in any other business if the materials you need to make your product get expensive, you either get cheaper materials or HEY! decide to use something else that is different but creates the same results. It happens everywhere and I get the feeling that the only reason it doesn’t happen here is out of either greed by the companies or a severe lack of new school thinking.

From Liberals say the Darndest Things: “‘… taking over and the government running all of your companies.’ — Rep. Maxine Waters”

“And, guess what this liberal will be all about? This liberal will be about socializing… uh, will be about, basically taking over and the government running all of your companies.”

– Rep. Maxine Waters

Venue: Congressional Hearing May 23, 2008

From Kayloo: “Bob Barr Uses Common Sense For Energy Policy and ANWR”

This is a video of Bob Barr breaking down the views of John McCain and Barack Obama on Energy Policy and ANWR. I’m always for the common sense, and Barr’s views are the best I have heard. Just listen and watch for yourself, and lets discuss your common sense of the subject.

From Globally Rational: “3 Reasons to Embrace our Gas Prices”

As long as we’re spending 500 times as much on gas as we do on alternative energies, how do we expect to really fix our problems? Instead of reducing our gas taxes (like Hillary and McCain were suggesting), I think we should add a little bit of a tax and use it to pay for novel research. In the long run, it will save us money… even if we only increase prices by 1% (about 4 cents per gallon right now, which seems pretty inconsequential with the way that prices have been inflating), that’s enough to multiply our alternative energy research by a factor of 5.

From Disillusioned Words: “Drilling Offshore — It’s Obama’s Turn to Lose My Vote”

First of all, what the hell are you talking about Obama? Nice words, but I mean, come on! How is McCain’s position of pro-drilling the “same Washington politics that has prevented us from achieving energy independence for decades?” We haven’t been drilling for decades! How can you say the position of pro-drilling is the cause. Sorry, Obama, your rhetoric is not panning out here. Your “pro-conservation” stance is fine. I’m all for that, but as I proved in an earlier post, it will not make us energy independent. And the alternative fuels approach is great too, but that is a solution that will not have us independent for at least 10 to 20 years, if we finally engaged it head-on. Imagine for a moment if you will that we had actually gone ahead with Bush’s plans to drill years ago… we’d already have oil coming in.

From The Bobo Files: “Nancy Pelosi and the rest of them Dems are idiots!”

YOU FREAKIN’ @#%$!! You caused this problem along with the freakin’ eco-terrorists. We are paying $4.00+ for gasoline because you refuse to allow any drilling for any oil or natural gas in this country! You refuse to allow coal to oil plants. You refuse to allow the building of new nuke plants! YOU FREAKIN’ @#%$! While the rest of the whole world is drilling for oil, building nuclear plants, and using coal, and growing their economies – you are stifling our growth and causing economic turmoil all over this country!

From A Disgruntled Republican: “Democrats Broken Promises on Gas Prices”

Nancy Pelosi is not such an idiot that she does not understand the cause of higher gas prices. Since, however, she promised “a commonsense plan to bring down skyrocketing gas prices,” she should be held accountable. Nancy did you not promise to bring down gas prices?

Now that you have heard their views, what are yours?

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