Off-Topic: I did miss the point..sorry

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	Name:	MartiniMan -
	Subject:	I did miss the point..sorry
	Date:	11/25/2008 2:33:53 PM

And I don't disagree with you that we will eventually need to find alternative sources of energy. I guess the real question is more philosophical than political and that is, "What is the best mechanism for finding that alternative and when?" You seem to want the government to take the lead in this effort and in this you are certainly not alone. Another view is that artificially high oil prices will drive the need for alternatives in the free markets. But they already have artificially high prices in Europe and they are no closer to alternatives there than here and at what cost? So you have to ask yourself, what cost are we (Americans) willing to bear in order to obtain this idealized goal of alternative energy? Despite all our warts I would not trade our economic engine for Europe's!

I am a free market guy in the mold of Fredric Bastiat and I have total confidence in the ingenuity of the markets to solve a problem to the extent that the underlying economics drive the need for a solution. I completely reject the concept of artificially creating the right economic conditions through the use of government power in the form of taxation, artificial constraints on supply or other schemes. That always has unintended, negative consequences and has never been successful. It will also reduce our overall standard of living which is maximized by optimal use of our resources (intellectual, natural and otherwise).

My preference would be for government to provide limited funding for the underlying basic research (which is already being done) while leaving the markets alone (which is at risk given the current makeup of Congress). As economic conditions justify the investment then private entities will provide the financial and intellectual horsepower necessary to develop and bring alternative energy sources to the markets. If you look at our history (post-industrial revolution) this has always worked and is entirely consistent with the fundamental nature of man.

Other messages in this thread:

View Entire Thread

Gas Prices - water_watcher - 11/22/2008 6:50:18 PM

Nope, Not Gonna' Happen - Mack - 11/22/2008 7:31:25 PM

Pain of $4/gallon gas??? - MartiniMan - 11/23/2008 7:59:30 PM

You missed my Point.. - Mack - 11/24/2008 11:07:05 AM

You missed my Point.. - au67 - 11/24/2008 11:20:54 AM

You missed my Point.. - Mack - 11/24/2008 11:57:32 AM

I did miss the point..sorry - MartiniMan - 11/25/2008 2:33:53 PM

Hey, MartiniMan... - Mack - 12/1/2008 7:34:18 PM

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