Dependency On Foreign Oil

For thirty years Americans have watched as our Presidents have debated over the foreign oil dilemma. Throughout those thirty years little has been accomplished. Research has been done and we have finally gotten the hybrid car on the market, but the use of foreign oil is still a drastic measure and keeps rising each year. There are many options America could use to end this war on oil. Some of them include the use of ethanol, hybrid cars, and nuclear power plants. We do use some of these, but perhaps we need to expand their use instead of looking to the Middle East to continue to supply our needs. However, we have not taken the time, nor initiative to research some of these ideas further. For instance, ethanol as a fuel is available in some states, but research must be done to determine how we can produce it at a reduced cost. As a result its use is not very high in demand; therefore, we are still depending on foreign oil at an increased yearly rate. Hybrid cars are available, but are not in high demand because the American people have fears. Americans have not been informed and are not knowledgeable of this technology; therefore they fear change. America fears the use of nuclear energy too, but what disaster are we facing if we continue to consume so much foreign oil? I do feel that American government should offer the public knowledge that is needed in order to overcome their fears of this new technology, and incentives to Americans who purchase the new fuel efficient vehicles. However, I do not feel it is all up to our government to end this war on oil. As Americans we must put forth the effort to support our own country by purchasing products and resources that would cut the use of oil. Americans have that mentality, to stand up for this country and help one another in the face of disaster. We should all work together for the safety and well being of our country before it is too late. We must take a stand now before this oil dilemma turns into another sad and painful disaster.

The recent gas prices in the United States have sparked a national debate on America's dependency on foreign oil. It jeopardizes our security and puts us at risk for future disaster, both physically and economically. The oil we obtain from hostile foreign countries is a threat to the safety of this country and gives others the benefit of exploiting our national security. Americans depend upon this security for their safety, comfort and to protect their profession. The risk involved, if we continue to be so dependent on the Middle East for oil, is another attack like that of September 11. American lives are at stake, and so are their livelihoods. Eventually, this country will not be able to compete and could even be perceived by other countries as a threat to their need for oil. It would affect American jobs due to the competition, and Americans would not be able to find a good, high paying job. We need to seriously and quickly explore the options that we have available for alternative means, such as the use of ethanol, hybrid cars, and nuclear energy. America cannot afford to wait another 30 years for a solution to this enduring problem.

Dating back to the seventies when Richard Nixon was President, the foreign oil crisis has continued on through each Presidency, and doubled over those 30 years. The Carter/Reagan Doctrine, named after the Presidents who endorsed it, led to a build up of United States forces in the Persian Gulf to protect our interest in oil. It has cost tax payers fifty billion dollars per year to maintain readiness to intervene; in addition to the sacrifice of American blood shed by soldiers who fought to protect that interest. The Carter/Reagan Doctrine was a good temporary plan, but not a long term one. It should have been a temporary protective measure put in place while research and technology for an alternative plan was being produced. As this tactic may have protected our interest in the Gulf, it is not perceived by critics to be a solution. Tom Collina Executive Director of 20/20 Vision explains that our goal should be to reduce the use of oil enough so that our national and economical security is no longer tied to the survival of the Saudi royal family or any other non-democratic oil producer. He further argues that then, and only then can our foreign policy be truly independent from our need for oil. Barry Serafin, journalist of The Journal Editorial Report, explains that we have squandered decades of opportunity to amend this problem. The chairman of the Energy Program also complains that we have lost the will to do anything about it. In the seventies America began researching new technology in search of a solution. Americans seen some progress in fuel efficiency standards and electric motors, however, those ideas were not completely developed and enforced. Today, thirty years later, we still have not determined the best solution and developed it. What is even worse is that we are consuming more and more foreign oil each year. With the increased dependency each year, we may be creating even more complex problems. History has shown us that this issue creates American conflict with the Middle East, but what about other countries in the future. Are we on a collision course with other countries who also have an interest in oil there? Could America eventually be perceived by these other countries as a threat to their interest?

Tom Collina further explains, to the Committee on Foreign Relations, that this country imports almost 60 percent of its oil and those figures are expected to increase in the future. He goes on to explain that two thirds of the world's oil is in the Middle East, primarily Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq. With their high volume of oil, the Middle East supplies large quantities of oil to other countries, as well as, America. For instance, China is second to the United States in their dependency on foreign oil, who imports half of their petroleum from the Middle East. As both countries continue to need more and more oil, America could eventually become a threat to China and possibly other countries who will also need more imported oil. The potential for future world crises could come from the need for oil. That is why there is an urgency to create other alternatives before the issue ripples into a massive world war. China has already taken steps to gear their country toward alternative means by setting fuel economy standards. America needs to follow suit and do the same and focus on the research needed to determine the best possible alternatives to foreign oil.

Ethanol, which provides one alternative to the problem, also brings jobs to the Midwest farmers. The corn raised could easily reduce the drastic amount of foreign oil that we consume. Ethanol is an alcohol-based alternative fuel produced by fermenting and distilling starch crops that have been converted into simple sugars. Feed-stocks for this