health care reform, politicians, buying and selling based on their favorite projects. And open talk of differing representatives commenting if you don't question my projects I won't question yours to keep the $$$$$.

What makes anyone think the same thing on a much bigger and wider scale takes place by those who own/control oil and their respective countries.
The reason we as a country do not pursue energy independence is that we the people are fickle about. Gas is $2.50 per gallon and that is acceptable. But just wait until it goes back to $4+ (and it will). Or worse, when the oil supply is interrupted by one of the mid east maniacs.

Remember when gas was $4 a gallon and everybody was clamoring about drilling, refining, nuclear, clean coal, wind et al? The standard answer from our wiz bang reps in Washington was it takes up to 10 years for some of those programs to take effect. So? We have done nothing and they are still 10 years out.....and we the people are fat, fickle and stupidly happy with $2.50 per gallon. As the commercials on television say....but wait.........

It is the fault of the do nothing majority...plain and simple.

btk