Here we go again. Conspiracy charges that President Obama’s energy policy is ruining our way of life. His basic policy all along has been to increase our use of conservation, energy efficiency and alternative energy to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and to create jobs. This would help in at least four ways: it puts Americans back to work, it keeps money in America and out of the hands of questionable foreign oil suppliers, it reduces the power of the pusher (the oil companies) and it reduces pollution.

After the oil embargo of the 1970’s, favorable government policies helped American companies make great strides in developing alternative energies. We were at the forefront and if we continued this course, we would have been selling these new technologies throughout the world. But in the 80’s, America’s superiority was suppressed by the heavy hand of oil and related industries. They not only “persuaded” politicians to vote against alternative energy development, but also bought up companies that were developing these new technologies and restricting their use. (Check out the movie “Who Killed the Electric Car”.)

If you think we need less government in controlling industry, look at what happened when we reduced inspections in the food industry. What about letting big oil monitor its own projects? Eleven workers dead and a fishing and tourist industry decimated.

We have the technology to end our oil addiction, but do we have the will? Stop avoiding the issue by putting blame on President Obama. All Americans are responsible to elect officials that protect us from companies that need it and to support policies the end our oil addiction. We all need to reduce our oil use, if for only one reason, to keep our energy dollars here in America.

Bruce Gundersen

Poulsbo