Dan O'Leary

Gas Lines Coming This Fall

Great essay Bill and many equally good comments. If my memory is correct, Jimmy Carter was the last President who attempted to craft a national energy policy and that was when our oil imports were 20%. Now at nearly 70% we still don't have a policy. And both political parties are equally to blame.

While I'm mad as hell about this situation (and a couple of others), I really only have myself to blame. I thought I could sit back, go do my "thing" and everyone else would solve our problems. Yes, the lights were on but no one was home!

I live in Olympia, Washington and what I'm seeing is probably happening all across the country. My wife and I have become big on "take out" because many of the local restaurants were so busy that you had to wait to get a table. Twelve months (or even less) ago I'd wait 20 minutes and then go pick up my order. When I got to the restaurant (any one of my favorites) it was full. Today when I place an order I leave immediately, the food is waiting for me when I arrive, and the restaurant is nearly empty.

While I have no way to prove this comment, I would not be surprised if some restaurants are giving employees payroll checks that bounce! I wonder how many of these employees are single parents? This sucks big time and it is no way to run a country!

I am going to start an email campaign to everyone in my address book repeating what I've said here and stating that in my opinion the congressional delegation from Washington State has been asleep at the switch when it comes to the big issues. I'm also adding my congressional delegation to my email list.

Igorisky is correct. America needs to wake and I'm done sitting on my thumb. I just don't know enough about technology to guage success.