Reader’s view: Don’t blame Obama for high gas prices

I’ve read the Opinion-page pieces blaming our president for high gasoline prices. Since the beginning of the oil industry, Democrats have had very little to do with oil. One major oil company did everything in its power to keep rival oil companies out of the eastern market when our oil fields were being developed. It would seem that company still controls oil worldwide and has no intention of relinquishing its control.

There is no such thing as a shortage of domestic oil. We export more oil than we import, according to Time magazine and other recent reports. North Dakota fields alone produce more than the OPEC country of Ecuador. When the North Slope was let out for development there was a stipulation that the oil was to be used in our country. What happened? I’ve read that most of it ends up in the Far East, and we pay more for oil coming in from the Middle East to meet our demands.

Global demand is high, and it would seem our oil goes to supply countries willing to pay a higher price. Oil companies want to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and throughout the two coastlines of our country with very little concern for the environment. Example: The tar sands in Canada are an environmental disaster, according to National Geographic.

Everyone should do their part to conserve oil, to cut down on unnecessary travel, to drive smaller cars and to turn down the thermostat for the night.

Alcohol is no solution. Made from corn or another source, it ends up an expensive fuel. There are other sources such as sugar cane, but they, too, end up as high-priced fuel.

Chester E. Haataja

Esko

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