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What Are the Benefits of Energy Independence?
By In previous articles, beginning with “It’s Obvious – Just Pick up the Piano”, I addressed the necessity of United States energy independence. As we complete this series we will look at a few of the benefits of this realistic possibility. However, for the possibility to become a reality, the government must remove many of the unnecessary and burdensome regulations that continue to hinder growth in this area. Employment: Regardless of what some politicians and spin doctors might say, this country has a serious unemployment problem. Too many Americans are unemployed or underemployed. Not only do these individuals lack the funds to meet their needs, their lack of income affects many other jobs; jobs that people would have if the unemployed had money to spend. The unemployment domino effect is devastating. The development and distribution of the variety of energy sources in this country would produce hundreds of thousands of good paying jobs. These jobs not only include on-site employment but include the manufacture of the implements needed for the production of the energy source. Each site also involves the need for the transportation of implements to the site as well as distribution of the energy source to the consumer. The actual distribution requires the employment of wholesalers and retailers. To ask the obvious, “What do these individuals do with the income they are now receiving from energy related jobs?” If they are smart, they save some and invest some, but most of their income will be spent on goods and services that are not directly related to the energy field. Those who provide these goods and services will now indirectly benefit from these energy related jobs. They, in turn, will spend their income for goods and services. The private sector has now generated wealth, something government cannot do, that reverses the negative domino effect. Energy Costs: With a greater supply of energy, costs will decrease and, therefore, put more money in the hands of the consumer. High energy costs effect every aspect of the consumer’s life. For example, as fuel prices increase, the cost of the distribution of all goods increases. The consumers not only pay more at the gas pump, they pay more at the grocery store. When they have to pay more they buy fewer goods. The producer of the less-needed product decreases productivity. Lower productivity translates to greater unemployment. By lowering energy costs, not only as it is related to transportation but other items as home heating, the consumer now has more disposable income; income that will be spent for goods and services. Lower Taxes: I can’t speak for the reader, but I hate paying taxes. For those who like higher taxes, they are free to make a donation to their favorite charity, Uncle Sam. Just quit donating my income. Some government leaders claim we have a severe revenue shortage. These same individuals claim we need to spend more money on government programs to help “needy people.” To increase revenue, they wish to increase taxes. By increasing taxes they take more money out of the private sector. The taxpayer then has less disposable income to spend on goods and services, magnifying the problem that these leaders claim to be solving. Unlike ‘Alice’, I have not fallen down the rabbit hole and I have no desire to live in an upside down world having the King of Hearts (I know, in the story, it’s the Queen of Hearts) tell me to go along to get along or it will be, “Off with his head.” If we employ hundreds of thousands of people in the private sector, these individuals and their families will not be in need of government assistance. Government spending decreases as does the need for revenue. Additionally, tax rates can be lowered, not only due to a lesser need for revenue but, more significantly, due the increase in the tax-payer base. Instead of a limited number of people paying a greater percentage of their income to the government we would have a greater number of people paying a lesser percentage of their income to the government. Again, this puts more disposable money in the hands of the consumer. It also gives consumers/citizens greater control of their own lives as opposed to government control. Perhaps, (he says with measured sarcasm) this issue of control is the real issue. Foreign Policy: Currently, the United States is at the mercy of oil producing countries that act contrary to our national interests. Some of these nations are actively involved in supporting terrorist activities. Billions of American dollars are poured into these countries. This not only damages our economy but threatens our national security and sovereignty. Additionally, we are spending billions, if not trillions, of American dollars in military involvement in oil-producing regions. The loss of treasure is dwarfed by the investment of the lives of our young military personnel. Their lives are too valuable to be sacrificed to prop up nations that will shortly after their departure, revert back to their un-American actions. I honor these American military personnel. I do not always honor those who would put them in harm’s way. I am a firm believer in a strong military. I also believe that a strong military must be used wisely. Our foreign policy is also affected when we find it necessary to borrow money from other nations to maintain an unnecessary and devastating national debt. How long can this nation continue to borrow before the bill comes due? This nation could eliminate its debt and cease to live in the world of deficit spending if it would become energy independent.
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