"we can’t afford a few million to help Americans with the cost of Healthcare?"
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If the proposals floated thus far only cost a few million few would argue. When you start saying a few trillion...that is another matter entirely.

Andre, the status quo wants us to drill for oil and keep drilling. The status quo wants us to continue depending on fossil fuel to satisfy our energy needs now and into the future. The students asked, “do Americans really understand the implications of expanding oil drilling?” And they answered that question with this, “It would be regressing, rather than aiding the United States, if we were to continue expanding drilling. This can only increase our dependency on fossil fuels. The economic advantages of expansion would only be temporary; eventually the oil will run out and we will be even worse off if we do not prepare now.”
The students didn’t come up with this information by themselves. It was not gleaned from some “ultra-left” think tank web site. It represents a consensus among experts in the field of energy who know what they are talking about.
This is your response to the thesis the students presented, “This type of thing is just one of the reasons that my children went to private schools. They received an education instead of getting indoctrination.” From your response I would conclude you favor the “drill baby drill” model which favors the status quo.
Solar, wind, hydro-based energy sources each have the potential to help us reduce our dependency on oil. They are NOT a panacea but certainly offer us a REALISTIC and VIABLE alternative to fossil fuels. Unless you are Saudi royalty, related to Hugo Chavez or are a CEO of a major oil company, why wouldn’t you want to explore alternative energy?
Ronald Reagan led us into the dark ages. It was only after Clinton took office and instituted tax rate changes that we generated the funding for necessary for business and job growth. Bush tried to emulate Reagan’s stale “trickle down” theories. Cut taxes and increase spending. If you are so concerned with the Democrats spending, why didn’t you complain when Bush was sending BILLIONS to Iraq and giving BILLIONS to Haliburton, etc, through no-bid contracts. Most of those BILLIONS spent can’t be accounted for, yet we can’t afford a few million to help Americans with the cost of Healthcare? Where’s your allegiance, with America or the Middle East?

DiGriz-funny you should mention truckers...I own a trucking company, and my husband drives one.

Mr. Obama has lied to us about almost everything else he campained. How about all the tax cheats in his "transparent" administration. And he is definitely adding to the partisanship of our country. His buyout of the auto industry is to pay back the unions that elected him. I hope the younger generations that voted for change can afford all the "change" of power and the "green" products all while "hoping" to pay for the trillions of dollars of debt, and purchasing all their oil from hostile countries.

By the way, if we didn't have global warming for hundreds of years, we would not be here, because it would still be the ice age.

Hey everyone, want to know how NeoCons think, just read kraut60’s comments. He thinks all our social ills should be fixed in 4 years (a little under 4 years to be exact), a cost effective green solution can be found (whatever that means) and that the rest of the world should love us. Wow, what an agenda. Oh, by the way, in case the so called “gaggle of ninnies” don’t get things “fixed” he is stocking his pantry and waiting for the civil war. Plus he claims his aim is good! It’s people like him that make me proud to be an Amerikan. Instead of looking to the future and trying to improve our lot, he would rather “hunker down” in the ol’ bunker, pretending to re-live those days of the wild west, just like in the movies. Well, perhaps he is a little more delusional than most of the NeoCons. Just think, prior to W. (an oilman) getting elected and the Conservatives taking power, this country had a budget surplus, gas was selling at less than $20 per barrel and we were not at war. Now eight years later, W. has us in two wars, allowed the guy who attacked us to get away, spent us into a huge budget deficit, allowed the torture of other humans in our name , oil is selling for over $70 per barrel and kraut thinks utilizing solar and wind power will destroy our country. You came up with that all by yourself, kraut? kraut60 also believes the “leftys” “should be able to fix this mess no problem”. I have to admit kraut, dealing with people like you it will certainly be harder, but I have faith the “left” will once again lead us out of the darkness. Keep practicing your aim and someday you might hit the target.

"So you believe that you think for yourself and nobody else can do that? Exactly where is your evidence for that little gem of an idea there panama?"
Not that “nobody else can do that” Andre, but that YOU can’t do that. You fear any deviance from the status quos. The evidence is in your posts.

So, who's going to solve the problem? Neither side has the answer. The public will accept only when it isn't in their back yard or it won't cost anything. The greens want us to be like the dark ages. They burned trees back then is that what we are suppose to do now? Wind and solar are great ideas but are still way too expensive. That which is affordable is not safe. Come on people come up with something logical and reasonable instead of trying to blame the right or the left all the time. The problem doesn't get solved by belly aching.

Does anyone remember why Alaska joined our union as a State? It was because of its natural resources, including oil. There is also much oil in our own midwestern states, just waiting to be tapped into. If Obama will wait until the economy significantly recovers to enforce his use it or lose it, then we have nothing to worry about. Since the author doesn't mind the trillions of dollars of debt that our dear President has left for the future generations. Someday the other nations that currently provide us with oil, will use it against us, then you had better get your own oil supply or you will be in quite the pickle then.

I am with Kraut, so I cannot waste anymore of my time chatting with you Liberal kooks, I have to go work on filling my pantry and my ammo supply.

Oil is a fungible commodity. Here's a great Dilbert cartoon on the subject:
http://www.dilbert.com/strips/comic/2006...

i dont agree with all your views kraut...but ill be the guy sittin behind you with a bag of herb...not shooting a gun...so if you need a relaxing break from shooting feel free to join me for long or brief intervals;)

Did they learn about Obamas plan for the deficit the next day? Heck, they could use almost the same paragraph.
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"Expanding the deficit will hurt us more in the future than it will help our economy in the present. Please do not leave this issue for my generation and future generations to deal with. Now is the time for action".

id keep diggin until every last pistachio was gone. mmmmmm i do love me some stachios at a ball game...thanks for the image sd!!

When oil prices reach a point where only the Government, or military can afford it we will be "technically' out of oil. While it will still be available the people will not be able to buy it, food production costs will skyrocket, and re-newable forms of energy will be forced into play. Right now supply is at a 20 year high, and demand at a 10 year low, but still gas prices have risen 70% since the first of the year. I personally don`t fit comfortably in a lot of these newer small cars, but I understand the need to conserve our resources. If demand, not the speculative demand that is raising prices now, but real usage could be cut by 50%(unrealistic) oil would last twice as long before the price got prohibitive. I think this writer is on the right track, we cannot drill our way to oil independence, we don`t have the reserves even if we could get it all. It`s beginning to look as if the only way we will find a solution is when our backs are to the wall and we start to take the problem seriously. Maybe a raise in the gas tax, smaller vehicles, mass transit will be seen as a good thing instead of being intrusive. To my mind it would be better to get to work on these things now before gas is $4-7 a gallon. Just like SS and Medicare, don`t wait till the edge of the cliff looms.

THERE IS HOPE!
By examining and critically analyzing the effects that oil extraction has on this country, the students present a strong case for less drilling.

Andre, indoctrination is often distinguished from education by the fact that the indoctrinated person is expected not to question or critically examine the doctrine they have learned. These students did just the opposite. By ignoring the simple fact that our dependence on oil must end, it seems you have failed to question or critically examine the doctrine you've learned. Perhaps your children would have been better served attending a public school. I think I can answer your question, AmishBob. Andre believes a liberal is anyone who thinks for themselves which is what makes us so dangerous.

You are correct SuperDave, we will “never” run out of oil. The last little bit will be so hard to find and extract that oil will be priced by the ounce instead of the barrel. With new cleaner forms of energy, oil will fall out of favor as an energy source. You're shortsighted if you believe the benefit of implementing forms of renewable energy only extends to our environmental health. That's simply one of the added benefits. We need to develop renewable energy for the sake of our future independence. By producing "homegrown" energy we can insure our economy (and nation) will have the energy it needs without being held hostage by conflicts in the Middle East or greedy, nationally owned oil companies. We might even figure out how to consume less energy in the process, because lets face it, we Americans are energy pigs. If things don’t change, it will be these very students who, in later years, will suffer because of the energy choices our generation made. Really SuperDave and Andre, its one thing to argue something that's plausible but continued drilling, especially in environmentally sensitive areas, is irrational.

Gee: It sure sounds like you have had a good crop of teachers. How come I never heard anything like that from my kids in the 11 years they have been in school. I just find it hard to believe, but hopefully your kids will be able to function when the are exposed to the real world. Remember, there will be the same extreme views out there when the graduate. At least my kids have been exposed to all view points and allowed to decide for themselves. They will never have to worry about someone accusing them of parroting their parents beliefs.

It's amazing how this young person, who probably has never paid any taxes, calls for more taxation.

When the supplies of oil diminish, and they will and not slowly either, do you believe that this 'new alternative' fuel will magically appear and everyone will continue on as though there was never any supply problems? It already has been shown that even if all the known reserve were immediately drilled, that it would only increase the total supply for maybe another 20-30 years beyond what we are currently pumping. Now I know that you fervently believe you are right on this, but it's nice to know, that you probably won't be around to be proven wrong because the end date is just far enough out there to not have to worry about real facts. As for the HOT AIR, you should really store some of yours for the winter time. It will save on your gas bill.

SuperDave, try again. when gas went to $4 supply was up and demand down, just like our recent rise.

Yes, SuperDave you are right. However, there isn't really any such thing as a free market especially in the opaque oil industry. There is collusion, price fixing and negative externalities that are not reflected in the final price of the product. Also, it is hard to actually know how much oil there is because OPEC nations have changed their estimates based on production allowances.

ekim8404: Please lose the cliches! And you forgot Fox News. To quote myself, "don't get sidetracked by the Republican vs. Democrat mindset". I don't waste my time attacking other people, I prefer to discuss ideas.
AmishBob: I usually ignore you because you're so full of hot air. But you do make a few good points (not that I agree), thanks! Since you tried to answer my question, I take it you didn't "get" my analogy. You shouldn't have bothered with the last sentence, that was just silly. Again, we can discuss ideas, but when you attack ME, it is simply an emotional response that reveals a lack of conviction.

ekim8404: 100% on the money. With emphasis on MONEY!!!!!!!
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With today's kids writing such insiteful articles like this, it renews my faith that there will be a better generation to come.

Super Dave: All of the items except oil can either be easily replenished or recycled. How exactly do you plan on making new oil? All your other examples are correct. It takes millions of years, heat and pressure to produce new oil. There are areas that rightfully need to rely on oil due to the BTU content of it's mass. What the biggest problem is that we consume so much with out any regard to the enviroment and the future shock that our economy will NOT be able to withstand. We have kept oil, gas, etc. on an artificially low cost than what it's true cost is. I only hope that you are only kidding that we will never run out of oil. It is that short sighted view that has contributed to the spikes of $5/gal gas.

Superdave's comments brought to you by:

The Heritage Foundation,
The American Enterprise Institute,
Rush Limbaugh,
and the last 8 years of American Government.

Good job kids.

It always amazes me how many people do not understand basic economics! When I refer to Econ 101, it alludes to "supply and demand". We just observed supply and demand in action in 2008. Gas prices exceeded $4.00 per gallon, and demand for gas began to drop noticably.
There is a supply curve. There is also a demand curve. They go in opposite directions, and (in a free market) where they intersect determines the market price. Both the supply and demand curves are movable, but can be considered fixed at a given point in time.
Allow me to illustrate. Let's say you just LOVE pistachios. And you have a whole room full of pistachios for you and your family. But let's add the following - you have to leave the shells in the room. Initially, you can gorge yourself on pistachios, they're everywhere, and it takes you no time to grab as many as you want. But as time goes on, it becomes harder and harder to find pistachios, since the full shells are being replaced by empty shells.
What happens? Over time, you start to demand less pistachios because it takes you more time to find them, and you're less willing to spend so much time looking for pistachios when you have other things to do with your life. In other words, as the price increases (the amount of time spent looking), your demand decreases (willingness to spend time).
This is analogous to the situation with fossil fuels. As it has become harder to locate and extract new sources of crude oil, the market price of gasoline and other petro products has risen accordingly. Eventually, alternative sources of energy will have a price advantage over fossil fuels and will gain significant market share. However, fossil fuels will always be with us, there are just so many applications that they are used for. Demand will decrease as prices rise, but the supply will never be completely exhausted (pardon the pun).
So, we will NEVER run out of oil! It's a fact!
If you don't "get" this analogy, let me ask a question. Why are we only (supposedly) "running out" of oil? Why not copper? Gold? Silica? Mercury? Why is there no similar panic over running out of any other finite natural resource? After all, there's only so much of it! And I'm not comparing oil to other resources. I'm simply asking the question, why is oil the only thing we are supposedly "running out" of?

Andre_Linoge: Could you please define what exactly a "LIBERAL AGENDA" is? It is so easy for the "righties" to throw these statements around when they have no real evidence to substantiate their arguments. If a liberal agenda entails; clean air, clean water, a responsible approach to the enviroment that doesn't pass the buck to future generations, then sign me up. For to long the mentality has been if it's good for business thats where it ends. Look at the town in NW Montana as a prime example.

SuperDave: I think your drivel is so far out in right field that it could qualify for toxic status. I'm not sure what econ 101 you went to, but I do believe that if you have x amount of resources that take millions of years to create. And you have an ever increasing usage of those resources in an extermely shorter time period, that they will runout. That is econ 101.
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Andre_Linoge: If going to a private school is the answer, then I'm glad my kids are in public schools.
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It is unbelievable the outrageous comments that are made. Especially, when the writer says use the internet and research it. Most of their information on the internet has no backing by any evidence other than it was a really cold day, so that disproves global warming. What really scares me is that these same people are walking around amongst the rest of the sane population!!!!!

Well written commentary by the students.

Those people cautioning about the debt load currently being created for future generations are the same people that can't see the intangible debts, both economical and environmental, being created by our reliance on oil. Kicking the can down the road is not a road map to success.

Oil will NEVER run out! Boy, is that a load off my mind! And even though the ten warmest years on record have happened since 1997, and the Arctic Ice has shrunk 88% in a century, we are in a period of global cooling! And here I was worried, thanks SuperDave!

Washington Seminar Program 1, SuperDave 0.

Here is a fact: Burning fossil fuels or anything else for that matter puts chemicals into the air we breath. Dispute that genius and quit picking on responsible young people. I'll follow them to the end of the earth.

Here is a fact: Oil is a finite resource. Never use the word never.

Here is a fact: The current housing and banking problems were caused by the lack of regulation, not the micro-managment by the government.

As far as research goes, you should do alot more of it before you spout off like you do. Congrats to our fine inquisitive high schoolers. More people like these would let me sleep better at night. They should be running this country NOW.

This article is so riddled with misconceptions and untruths that I barely know where to start. It appears that our students are being brainwashed to believe this drivel, and when given the opportunity, they simply parrot the PC lines they have been fed. STUDENTS: you are being lied to! Use the internet, and your own growing mind power, to discover the truth. Keep an open mind, and don't get sidetracked by the Republican vs. Democrat mindset, the truth knows no political party or ideology.
Here are some facts: the caribou herd at Prudhoe Bay is thriving right along side the human presence at the oil fields. The oil will NEVER run out - that's Econ 101. Drilling also rhymes with thrilling - drilling will help the economy, that's also Econ 101. Global warming caused by human activity is a myth created solely to justify extracting more taxes from the people - the global temperatures on Mars and Venus have risen and fallen roughly in sync with Earth, and last time I checked there were no Buicks on Mars. As a matter of fact, we are currently in a period of global cooling.
I fully support ALL kinds of renewable and alternative energies. But it's simply naive to think that it's somehow useful to have the government try to micro-manage the economy (witness their recent "success" with the current housing and banking situations) by "encouraging" renewable energies through ridiculously high taxing and spending.
I've taken the time to write to give those that are younger than myself some food for thought, you'll have to live with these policies and decisions a lot longer than I will.

"drilling...kills not only habitats and animals but also our relationships with other nations as well our own country’s progress."
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Wow.