We are addicted to oil

We are addicted to oil

Re: Offshore drilling

I read of a recent poll showing that 48 percent of Americans are in favor of drilling offshore for oil now. I would imagine about the same number of people would be in favor of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge too.

This poll shows how truly we are addicted to oil. Perhaps a sizable amount of our population would have no qualms about drilling in our National Parks also. The oil companies are spending millions in advertising to convince us they can drill anywhere and protect the environment. If you believe that, I have some oceanfront property in Colorado I will sell you. 

Make no mistake about it, they fight any and all regulations targeted at requiring them to be environmentally responsible here in Colorado and elsewhere. The resources, energy and resourcefulness of this country have to be focused primarily on alternative forms of energy to solve the crisis in the long run.

The oil companies would have you believe we will never run out of oil, but at least half the world’s supply is now gone and the other half will go much quicker due to the global increase in demand.

We can and will develop more efficient forms of energy to drive our cars, etc. but we need the American people and our government to be engaged fully in this effort. Let’s not pollute our beaches, and other environmentally sensitive places with oil to maintain the status quo. Big oil is sticking it to us now and they will continue to as long as we stay addicted to oil.

Tom Heffernan

Montrose