Sure, There's a Risk - Part II

As we continue to examine the need for U.S. energy independence, it must be made clear that the problem is not the availability of American resources nor is it the ability of the American citizen. The major barriers to this independence are those created by agenda-driven politicians, self-serving bureaucrats, and self-righteous interest groups.

The entrepreneurial spirit that gave us the hope for the American dream to be realized has been continually stifled by those in academia, politics, and media who continually decry profit as a positive motive. Many in these groups live well off the hard earned money of the average American. Politicians cry for more taxes from wage earners promoting the idea that by redistributing wealth the government is generating wealth. Their mouth pieces in the media redistribute their propaganda, and many in the academic world teach their students to readily accept the tripe that is being regurgitated.

Government does not generate wealth. A profit driven entrepreneurial spirit does when freed from the unnecessary boundaries imposed on that spirit. Thomas Edison was perhaps the greatest inventor in American history. Many of the items we use without a thought today began as an idea in his mind. Edison contributed greatly to the betterment of mankind. His brilliance, efforts, and investments also contributed to his personal financial wealth. I seriously doubt that Edison would have invented anything had there been no profit in it for him.

I also doubt that Edison would have been much of an inventor had he been bound by the myriad of absurd government regulations that bind today’s entrepreneur.

The shout resounds from the tops of the tallest buildings. “Give us cheap, clean energy.” And as soon as an enterprising person begins to do so, someone from the Society for the Protection of the Fuzzy-Footed, Short-Tailed, Snorf Nester shows how the endangered snorf nester could possibly end up on the possibly endangered species list regardless of the fact that the new energy source is not a threat to this species that currently exists in record numbers. The inventor is mired in a morass of government regulations and unnecessary costs, throws in the towel, gets fined for littering, sits in front of the television to listen to a talking head speak about the virtues of the Snorf Nester Society and how it saved the little fuzzy footers (complete with photo-shopped pictures) from the nasty old profit-driven capitalist.

The old maxim was, “build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door.” Try that in today’s small business climate. Now the EPA will regulate you and fine you out of existence. Additionally, Mickey and Minnie will sue you for assault on the mouse population, and Rodents for Trap Restrictions (The RTR) will receive tax payer dollars to support their agency.

If this nation is going to become energy independent we must eliminate unnecessary and counter productive government regulations.

In the previous article, I began to expand on some of the energy sources available within the borders of our nation. I noted that with every endeavor, there are risks but the greatest risk to our national survival is our dependence on foreign sources of energy. The list continues:

5. Mining of coal. Coal can be a “dirty” energy but it does serve as the base energy source for much of the nation’s electrical energy. I find it interesting to hear people complain about the use of coal while they turn on their lights, heat their homes, cool their homes, and charge the batteries on their hybrids with electricity that was generated by coal. Clean coal technology is currently available and used and can be improved on. Additionally, coal oil is a viable method to more cleanly use this fossil fuel.

6. Nuclear energy. Nuclear energy poses a serious danger if improperly managed. The recent situation in Japan speaks clearly to this danger. Before the earthquake and tsunami that damaged the Japanese nuclear facility, this particular plant was repeatedly out of compliance with safety regulations. Compare that situation with France which successfully and safely uses nuclear energy as a major means to meet French energy needs. Our nation has the capability to safely operate nuclear facilities to provide a clean energy source for our people.

In the next article, we will examine alternative, non traditional sources of energy.