by Roberto Alvarez-Galloso

Created on: December 23, 2007

Most of the problems related to energy is due to the micromanagement of energy sources by the state. This has existed in countries such as Cuba, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, and the USA. For those who say the USA is a capitalist society in which the rich gouge the poor, the reality is that the USA is an oligarchy ruled by the Republicans and Democrats who provide subsidy to energy sources such as coal, oil, solar, wind, and even fecal matter.

At a time when petroleum was at its peak usage after World War II, Washington did everything it could in order to prevent even the mere mention of alternative fuels by providing subsidies to the oil companies. During the First Energy Crisis of the 1970's, Washington provided some subsidies to farmers to use corn and alcohol for a new fuel concept called Gasohol. [The Concept of Gasohol was new to the USA but was used in Cuba during the 1940's, and Brazil and South Africa during the 1970's].

After the waning of the Energy Crisis, [instead of working on alternative fuels or even allowing the market to develop these fuels] Washington gave heavy subsidies to the Oil Companies. This removed any initiative from the Private Sector to even think of innovations which would have resolved the problems of energy.

In spite of the attempts of the state to subsidize energy, there are farmers and chemists in the rural areas of the USA who have formed their own energy sources with vegetable oil, fecal matter, and alcohol without the State interfering. Fuel Prices could decrease if there was an abundance of energy supplies and an end to the subsidies that suffocates any attempts at resolving this pressing issue.

In closing, if Edison, Firestone, and Ford were alive today; Washington would have subjected them to heavy fines and prison sentences for the crime of taking the initiative.

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