Comments on: Energy Independence http://enableate.com/steve/2008/1240 make it happen Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:35:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: darwin http://enableate.com/steve/2008/1240#comment-16292 darwin Sat, 23 Aug 2008 07:55:54 +0000 http://enableate.com/steve/2008/1240#comment-16292 The thing is, the oil supply seems to be controlled by a relatively small number of people, making it more like a monopoly/cabal than free trade; and many of the people controlling it are government officials, also removing many benefits of free trade. Other sources of energy, such as nuclear power, migh not have such restricted supply lines, allowing for more of a free market interaction. The thing is, the oil supply seems to be controlled by a relatively small number of people, making it more like a monopoly/cabal than free trade; and many of the people controlling it are government officials, also removing many benefits of free trade. Other sources of energy, such as nuclear power, migh not have such restricted supply lines, allowing for more of a free market interaction.

]]> By: Michael http://enableate.com/steve/2008/1240#comment-16257 Michael Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:31:14 +0000 http://enableate.com/steve/2008/1240#comment-16257 While it's true that wealth and a middle class are important for a democratic/capitalist conversion, I don't see oil as the path there. It concentrates too much wealth and power in the hands of too few. Governments of oil rich countries usually end up taking as much of this wealth as they can, leading to authoritarian states. Top Oil Rich Countries: 1. Saudi Arabia 2. Canada 3. Iran 4. Iraq 5. Kuwait 6. United Arab Emirates 7. Venezuela 8. Russia 9. Libya 10. Nigeria While it’s true that wealth and a middle class are important for a democratic/capitalist conversion, I don’t see oil as the path there. It concentrates too much wealth and power in the hands of too few. Governments of oil rich countries usually end up taking as much of this wealth as they can, leading to authoritarian states.

Top Oil Rich Countries:

1. Saudi Arabia
2. Canada
3. Iran
4. Iraq
5. Kuwait
6. United Arab Emirates
7. Venezuela
8. Russia
9. Libya
10. Nigeria

]]> By: steve http://enableate.com/steve/2008/1240#comment-16249 steve Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:44:51 +0000 http://enableate.com/steve/2008/1240#comment-16249 I think I agree with Michael on this point. We can still have free trade without supporting tyrannical government's. Then again, only when a country has attained a certain amount of wealth does a middle class appear that is willing to fight for capitalistic property rights thats makes democracies possible. This is a tough one which causes me waffle like John Kerry or Barack Obama. Good olde nuance. I think I agree with Michael on this point. We can still have free trade without supporting tyrannical government’s. Then again, only when a country has attained a certain amount of wealth does a middle class appear that is willing to fight for capitalistic property rights thats makes democracies possible.

This is a tough one which causes me waffle like John Kerry or Barack Obama. Good olde nuance.

]]> By: Michael http://enableate.com/steve/2008/1240#comment-16247 Michael Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:28:37 +0000 http://enableate.com/steve/2008/1240#comment-16247 well i think what people mean by "energy independence" is "not dependent on the middle east" for massive amounts of oil. Trade isn't going anywhere, but this is a strategic decision for our nation's security. Plus, we could potentially be an exporter of new energy or tech. well i think what people mean by “energy independence” is “not dependent on the middle east” for massive amounts of oil. Trade isn’t going anywhere, but this is a strategic decision for our nation’s security. Plus, we could potentially be an exporter of new energy or tech.

]]> By: Diatribe http://enableate.com/steve/2008/1240#comment-16245 Diatribe Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:47:30 +0000 http://enableate.com/steve/2008/1240#comment-16245 I read this same article earlier and he does make a good point. I also just watched an episode of Bullshit and it was all about people who want world peace. And of course it was making fun of anti war activists and people like code pink. In the end Penn and Teller talked about the one and only way to have world peace and that being FREE TRADE. So becoming energy independent might lead us not to trade with certain countries in which we trade with now. = possible trouble. I read this same article earlier and he does make a good point. I also just watched an episode of Bullshit and it was all about people who want world peace. And of course it was making fun of anti war activists and people like code pink. In the end Penn and Teller talked about the one and only way to have world peace and that being FREE TRADE. So becoming energy independent might lead us not to trade with certain countries in which we trade with now. = possible trouble.

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