Posted by Dinah on August 20, 2006, at 13:02:55
In reply to Re: oil business and profits, posted by Jost on August 20, 2006, at 12:16:22
I'm sorry, but I see the provision and maintenance of highways and roads to be one of the jobs of government, since we certainly can't get together and build one ourself.
I find it hard to see building roads and highways as a subsidizing of the oil industry. It may be subsidizing a way of life that Americans find desirable, but it's not subsidizing the oil industry any more than it's subsidizing the farm industry by allowing fast access to allow fresh produce to get to market. It's just doing its job.
As a matter of interest, though, are there any developed countries that don't maintain and build roads and highways?
I'm all in favor of promoting alternative fuel sources. The government tries to do that already, with tax credits and with direct subsidies. When alternative fuel sources are more affordable than oil, I'm reasonably sure the American public will switch to it. In the meantime, I think the government should encourage the switch to clean electrical power sources. Even subsidize it.
Whatever happened to hydroelectric plants? Why aren't there more of them?
poster:Dinah
thread:675260
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20060809/msgs/678466.html