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How STUPID are the Americans?

Maria Becker | 04.10.2005 00:39 | Ecology | Education | Technology

How stupid are the Americans? Why are they fooled by their government's energy policy?
Many Links to renewable energy web sites.

IS THIS YOUR ENERGY POLICY?
(from United States of America - copy of american professor's newspaper letter to the public)

OUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE AUTOMOBILE
We've been depending on the internal combustion engine (ICE) for more than 100 years and over all that time the efficiency of the ICE has climbed to just under 15%. The remaining 85% is waste heat, unfired combustibles.

YOUR PERSONAL COST?
For every $10 bill you put in your gas tank, $8.50 is wasted. It's not that 85% of that gasoline didn't produce anything, it means that only 15% was used to turn the wheels. The 85% produced waste heat, unburned chemicals.

THE HIDDEN STICKER COST?
We're addicted. And an addict will do most anything to satisfy their addiction. Money will be found, people might get hurt, and we'll make deals with anyone to get what we want. We depend on foreign imports for over 50% of our oil. If this sounds familiar it's because it's the same scenario that preceded the "Energy Crisis" more than 20 years ago.

THE ENERGY CRISIS WAS A SET UP
Our trusted trading partners (the dealers) flooded the market with cheap gasoline (the drug) and we (the addicts) of course just started using more. Then they cut the supply and raised prices. The cost to the nation was incredible. The cost to Detroit and the Big 3 was even worse. Suddenly, there was a market for smaller, high mileage cars and Japan was there to take that market.

D?J? VU IN 1999?
We're importing about the same, still making deals with anyone, the drug is cheaper than it's ever been (adjusted for inflation), we're using more (SUV's), and driving more than ever. It's obvious we don't have a clue.

DON'T GET CAUGHT BETWEEN AN ADDICT AND HIS DRUG!
Saddam Hussien was a dealer. We knew he was unstable and couldn't be trusted, but he was OUR dealer. We depended on him. Things you normally wouldn't even think about doing aren't an obstacle when you're addicted.

When Saddam moved in on Kuwait (another dealer) our supply was threatened. It was war. Our addiction is so strong we are willing to send our own children to war for gasoline.

Most drug addicts wouldn't go that far but for us it's a logical step. We were willing to use up natural resources regardless of the consequences. We were willing to pollute the air, the land and the water. Our kids can see their air.

As kids we dreamed of the day we'd get our drivers license. The fact that we're willing to sacrifice lives for gasoline is unthinkable, but that is our policy and what it says about our values is worse. We pay more for a gallon of coke, than a gallon of gasoline. Or do we?

THE PRICE AT THE PUMP
The cost of gasoline at the pump includes a tax which is meant for infrastructure.

COSTS NOT INCLUDED AT THE PUMP:
Value of clean air?
Value of clean rivers, lakes, ponds, drinking water?
Value of Natural Resources?
Value of quality of life?
Cost of military defense of "our" oil ?

USER PAYS?
The cost of our military defense of our oil is a tangible amount. It's estimated that if that cost were included, the price of oil from the Middle East would be $100 per barrel. The cost at the pump would be at least $3 per gallon. Instead of including that cost in taxes at the pump, it's being paid by every taxpayer regardless of whether they drive or not or how many miles they drive. Instead of a tax policy that promotes efficiency, we build the best highway system in the world but not the best schools. Our tax code allows corporations such as Exxon a tax deduction for the cost to clean up the oil spill from the Valdez.

The CAFE standards were introduced to increase automobile efficiency but due to industry lobbying these standards have been frozen for the past 5 years and Congress just did it again in 1999.

LET THE MARKET DICTATE COST
This can only happen when the true cost of gasoline is levied at the pump. This is also known as a tax shift and in this case we'll pay those taxes at the pump and not from payroll deductions.

The increase in the cost of gas would raise demand for high mileage (energy efficient) automobiles. Manufacturers, using currently available technology can and would build cars whose efficiency would eliminate the need to import oil. This would go a long way toward eliminating our trade imbalance as well as eliminating national security risks due to our dependence on foriegn imports.

In the end, the environment is improved. Although we've grown up believing that it's every American's God given right to drive an automobile, the truth is that everyone has the right to breathe clean air.

NUCLEAR ENERGY
It doesn't make any sense that this issue is even being debated. What was sold to the taxpayer was the promise of "energy so cheap it you couldn't even meter it". What we have instead is the most expensive electricity, without including the cost for decommissioning or the unknown cost of nuclear waste.

OPERATING COSTS
These of course are passed on to you but be aware that you also contributed more than 50 BILLION dollars for it's development.

WASTE COSTS - YOURS
Here's the Nuclear Waste policy: Remove nuclear waste from nuclear plants all over the country and transport it through most every state, within 1/2 mile of more than 50 million citizens and store it anywhere we can regardless of what the locals residents have to say.

The US Congress is moving ahead with the development of a nuclear waste site in Nevada over the objections of not only the citizens of Nevada but their Senators and Representatives as well. The project will also violate EPA regulations.

BENEFIT VERSUS RISK
Sure we take risks all the time just crossing the street. If your crossing the street to get to work your risk of getting hit by a car is low if you're a law abiding pedestrian. You took a small risk and received a large benefit .. you made it to work and won't be fired today.

The problem with nuclear is we get all the risk and no benefit.

By law nuclear waste becomes the property of the US taxpayer. It's your problem now. The nuclear plant will one day be decommissioned, dismantled and also become your property.

Do you want the waste? Do the folks that produced that waste want it? If nobody wants it ? don't make it.

WHY MOVE WASTE?
A nuclear plant is a nuclear waste dump. Why create another and then take the risk of moving it all over the country?


CONCLUSION:
Why be foolish and reckless like the Americans? You can choose an intelligent and responsible energy policy using sustainable technology. Sustainable technology creates long term economic growth with more jobs, a clean environment and healthy people. Are you going to follow the ignorant Americans? Are you stupid?  http://www.bhopal.net
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advanced technology resource list for Real economic Progress
----------------------------
ENERGY CONSERVATION and ECONOMIC PROGRESS
If every household in California replaced 4 (average 100 watt) incandescent light bulbs with 4 (equivalent 27 watt) compact fluorescent light bulbs, burning on average 5 hours per day, we would save 22 gWh per day - or enough energy saved to shut down 17 power plants. If the State bought these lamps for every household at $2 each, total cost would be $120 million. Could we build the same 17 power plants for $120 million? Not by a long shot!, book: Fuel Savers by Bruce N. Anderson .. Solar Indoor Llighting-  http://www.solatube.com  http://www.kalwall.com  http://www.sunpipe.com  http://www.sun-dome.com .. Led Lighting-  http://www.sloanled.com  http://www.alpha-led.com  http://www.theledlight.com  http://www.superbrightleds.com  http://www.ledtronics.com  http://www.bvled.com.tw  http://www.mobileled.com ..
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FREE Journal
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book: "From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank" author: Joshua Tickell  http://www.abebooks.com
~~}Run your diesel on used cooking oil. Fill your gas tank at fast food restaurants.
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~~}Convert your vehicle to an electric vehicle- classes, books, videos and consulting-  http://www.electroauto.com ..
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Solar Water Purification:
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(Note: you can save this web page to your hard drive. Then you can open the saved file on your hard drive and click on the links to access the web sites)

Maria Becker
- e-mail: maria@mail.is
- Homepage: http://www.solartoday.org

Comments

Hide the following 12 comments

All it takes is intelligence

04.10.2005 09:12

Great article - even better set of links.

All it needs now is intelligent use of the knowledge and FAR greater public awareness (which so far is effectively countered by the oil barons almost total grip on the MSM)- IOW, it ain't going to happen soon, unless the majority of people's pockets get hit beyond their capacity to SPEND without thinking too hard...

Ah, inertia!


Acid Fatty


some useful links

04.10.2005 12:45

...but it's hardly fair to single out Americans as stupid on this issue. I don't see a wonderfully progressive energy policy coming out of UK governments.

Sun Ra


How stupid is the title to this article!

04.10.2005 17:16

jesus christ, america consists of 250 million people, only a very small minority in the US, perhaps a few thousand at best have the wealth or power to influence government decisions.

And even if you were calling the american government stupid, it would simply prove that you were somewhat gullible yourself. I'm pretty sure the billionaires in control of energy policy are well aware of the havoc they are causing to ordinary working people in new orleans and worldwide, the fact is that they're more interested in holding on to their power and wealth than anything else.

Its just a shame you had to resort to a title like that, when the actual content of this article is pretty good.

Lefty


Americans consume more

04.10.2005 18:21

George Bush with Saudi Prince Abdullah - American Saudi oil interests
George Bush with Saudi Prince Abdullah - American Saudi oil interests

American President George Bush is closely linked to oil company interests. Millions of Americans voted for Bush, so there are millions of stupid gullible Americans if they are voting against their own interests, or causing poverty and environmental disasters for others. They voted for governments that gave power to the rich to control government decisions.

Use less oil


What do you think of americans

04.10.2005 18:32


Americans are known as stupid, here's one that doesn't think so. Let him know what you think of them
 http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2005/09/57689.html

see nyc indymedia


Hypocrisy in Britain

05.10.2005 11:25

I am a foreign national living in London (I'm not American). I often read and hear in the media about the wonderful tradition of tolerance that exists in Britain but it strikes me that this tolerance is only extended to large minority groups auch as Muslims and Blacks who, because of their numbers, have political muscle both in terms of voting power and in their proven propensity to cause disorder on a large scale. It strikes me that it is perfectly OK to be as offensive as you like in Britain when it comes to Germans, Japanese, Argentinians, Israelis (read Jews) the French and of course Americans amongst others. Why are words like Jap, Frog, Kraut and Wop acceptable in Britain when P*ki and C**n are not? The title of this article just about sums it up. How can you just label a nation with a population of a quarter of a billion people as stupid?
People like the author of this article and many others who post on this site are in my opinion far worse than the extreme right since they masquerade as intelligentsia but are actually ignorant and virulently hateful.

Shea Gitts


Hypocrisy in Britain

05.10.2005 12:12

I am a foreign national living in London (I'm not American). I often read and hear in the media about the wonderful tradition of tolerance that exists in Britain but it strikes me that this tolerance is only extended to large minority groups auch as Muslims and Blacks who, because of their numbers, have political muscle both in terms of voting power and in their proven propensity to cause disorder on a large scale. It strikes me that it is perfectly OK to be as offensive as you like in Britain when it comes to Germans, Japanese, Argentinians, Israelis (read Jews) the French and of course Americans amongst others. Why are words like Jap, Frog, Kraut and Wop acceptable in Britain when P*ki and C**n are not? The title of this article just about sums it up. How can you just label a nation with a population of a quarter of a billion people as stupid?
People like the author of this article and many others who post on this site are in my opinion far worse than the extreme right since they masquerade as intelligentsia but are actually ignorant and virulently hateful.

Shea Gitts


oh what a giveaway

05.10.2005 14:10

'Muslims and Blacks' 'their proven propensity to cause disorder on a large scale'

And we're the racists? Get lost troll.

awake


Oh what a pathetic, predictable response

05.10.2005 17:24

OK so my choice of phrase vis-a-vis Blacks and Muslims, (Does using the term Blacks make me a racist? what term should I use?) the two largest minority groups in Britain did make me sound a tad like Nick Griffin but I was referring to the fact that both groups have expressed their (justified) dissatisfaction at being ill-treated by rioting in the early 80's and late 90's respectively and that this is what you and the xenophobic but cowardly majority respond to. If Americans living in Britain were to do the same you would respect them too but since thats highly unlikely you are free to insult them by making outrageous generalisations such as "Americans are known as stupid" above. How do you justify this ???? Would it be OK to say the same thing about Blacks? Why not? What's the difference? Now get off your high-horse and answer my point instead of resorting to amateur forensic psycho-analysis to try and demonise me just because you can't face the truth.

Shea Gitts


Shea has a fair point

08.10.2005 21:42

Great article on saving energy. Americans waste it a lot cause they've been made to feel they can. The same stupidity extends however to almost every other person/nation.

Shea has a point about racist targets in the UK. There are a lot of groups that are just considered legitimate targets. And my experience of the great tradition of toleration (which I've cross referenced with other 'non-natives' (because of skin colour, accent or 'funny name') is that toleration means just indifference laced with contempt and often hostility. Or, you can be the 'quaint' foreigner. Everyone living in their own 'communities' but keep to your own. Multi-cultural Britain. And yes, I've noticed that in plenty of places if you're dark enough to be considered 'black' (very subjective) or if you're identified as muslim, then all the pc righteous thinking liberals (and others) make an effort to appear respectful and even friendly (!).

foreign observer


As if to prove my point...

10.10.2005 12:07

I've just been listening to the James O Brien show on LBC. There's a discussion in progress, the subject of which is "Do the French stink?"!!

Shea Gitts


water softener

29.09.2007 07:13

water softener - water filter units such as water distillers and whole house water treatment systems

water softener
mail e-mail: linktovikrant@gmail.com
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