ANWR and Offshore Drilling

Q: Left Jeff! Left Jeff! With gas prices getting so high, is it time to start considering drilling in places like ANWR and off our coasts?

A: We can't drill our way out of this problem. The solution is not to produce more oil, but to conserve what we have and get off our addiction to oil. The fact is there isn't enough oil to make a measurable difference. And any difference it would make would take 15 years before it would help. The only result we'd get from off shore drilling is a black ocean, from the inevitable oil spills. And drilling in ANWR would destroy that pristine area forever. For too long Americans have driven around in their gas guzzling SUV's, without regard to the impact it has on the environment. Their 'life in the fast lane' is finally catching up with them and hitting them where it hurts. I propose that we place a tax on SUV's to deter people from purchasing and driving them. This could be in the form of a carbon tax, given SUV's have such a big carbon footprint. The government should also give more subsidies to research alternative forms of energy such as wind, solar etc. (paid for by taxing the rich) But at the same time they need to be cognizant of the effect these alternative forms have on the environment. We wouldn't want birds to fly into windmills and get killed. In fact, the more I think about it, the solution should be to walk everywhere or stay home. And remember when home to keep your lights off to conserve energy. Those that choose not to take this common sense approach are hurting themselves, the people around them and especially their planet. Additional tax hikes on the rich who think they can use all the energy they want with no thought for tomorrow would be an appropriate step.