There is an increasing buzz that oil supplies are not finite. . .in opposition to the scientific claims in the 1970s. The news piece about 3-cent oil is interesting. It raises an issue about relativity and about the hand of government.
When government is by the people and for the people (an ideal we call "democracy") and that hand is guided by BOTH a sacred trust in individual freedom and in social welfare (social justice, etc), that is much different than when the hand of government is the sole reach of a dictator (regardless of what that leader is called). President Hugo Chavez can be seen as much more transparently manipulative TO US in the U. S. of A., but we are far less likely to see that same manipulation of us by our own leaders.
CORRUPTION of capitalism, democracy, socialism, and the oil industry are our enemies�not the concepts themselves, right?
And our own corruption of the "American Dream"�we want our cake and eat it to. . .and we want to win the cake on "American Idol"�not work for it. . .or even "deserve" it. . .we are in the "lottery" mindset of the American culture. I make this statement NOT as some commentary on the decline of the culture (there is not decline) but as the most current form of corruption (corruption has always existed in our systems).
I DO think it interesting that in the U. S. our views of "lifestyle" and our approaches to gas prices and all that entails (car choices, traveling, NOT carpooling, driving across campus to class instead of walking. . .) along with our slow and hesitant embracing of soccer are in distinct contrast to those same aspects of European life.
The worst mythology of America is a pursuit of rugged individual AT THE EXPENSE of others. . .and this is all too often how Americans are seen by the rest of the world, currently with the face of W. on that persona. I think this is a flaw in the system; look at any politician who succeeds�we will tolerate NO human flaws. . .thus they must all wear masks and lie. We love lies.
Recall the presidential race where one candidate admitted he WOULD raise our taxes and the other candidate pledged "No new taxes!" We voted for the latter. . .who raised our taxes.
Adding a tangent to a tangential discussion; read some excellent books by Chris Hedges: I DON'T BELIEVE IN ATHEISTS and AMERICAN FASCISTS. Also I recommend Susan Jacoby's FREETHINKERS. Both give wonderful insight into the American mind. . .
