A simpler way

Submitted by Danny Boyd (United States), Feb 10, 2011 at 17:13

An easier alternative is to reverse and reduce our oil-dependency and collapse the inflated power-balloons of the M.E., esp. those seeking WMDs. All of the Islamic sources of tyranny are fed through a tube of petrodollars. They buy "contract" terrorists and friendly politicians in the EU and U.S. who need money and love power. Pull the plug or use a tourniquete to stop the flow. "Not in September. Now!" - as our Obama might say.

With our high speed internet and UPS, we don't need to drive near as much. We don't need mail delivered 6 days a week - 3 is fine. Higher gas prices, which are coming eventually, will boost mass transit and new railways. The U.S. is still the world's breadbasket and our ability to manage water usage and careful irrigation will become as vital as oil. Yes, China will buy oil, but without our craving for China's chachkas, they won't need as much either since we won't be buying their stuff. Nor do we need to fly so much to every wedding, funeral, or vacation. It all boils down to controlling where and how much our oil money goes.

We can then create policies to trade and militarily aid only states that support democracy and actively prevent terrorists in their midst. We can loan out our food-energy-water use experts to those same promoters of democracy. With the world population closing in on 7 billion, the U.S. could revert to a policy of controlling its borders to allow entrance only to those "proven" to want a life in an American democracy, not just a job. We can't force-feed democracy to the third world who can not comprehend our philosophy. The internet has done that job too well. The U.S. is still "The Greatest Show on Earth," and we should be selling tickets at the gate instead of hiring door-to-door salespeople to hawk its benefits.

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