Wisdom from Larry the Cable Guy

Regarding whether or not we should tap resources in our own country for oil and/or build new refineries, don’t ever give me the excuse that we should not do it because it will not help for another 10 years. That is the lamest reason I have ever heard. To the person who offers up that logic, there should be an immediate challenge. You see, the hidden logic behind that statement is that we will have gone on to newer technology that will have replaced the need for oil. So why waste our time?

I hate that the logic behind such a stupid statement goes unchallenged. No one who uses it should get a free pass. Make them verbalize that hidden logic. Then as they stammer a bit about how we need to be weaned from oil, get ready for some fun. The problem with the “we need to . . .” philosophy is that it simply denies reality. After the person gives you the standard blah blah blah about that then ask them to describe in detail what society will look like without oil being a part of it. Encourage them to really think about it.

What you want to get them to realize is that this world will not reach that reality in 10 years. Are you reading this on your computer? Reach out and touch the frame of the screen. Touch your keyboard. Touch your computer. How about your chair. In the room you are in, take the time to touch everything that has petroleum products in them. That will take some time. Now go to the next room and do the same. Do that in the kitchen – that will really take some time. Now go out to your car and visualize that it is futuristic and does not burn any gas or oil. But go through and touch the dash board, the seat covers, the instrument panel, the belts and hoses, the lights and bumpers and now even the fenders. Now that you get the picture, really imagine a world where we have completely weaned ourselves from petroleum products. Is a refusal to access the supply of oil really the answer? Will the need for it disappear in 10 years?

Now, go to your computer and look up economic data on how fast India, China, and all third world countries are growing. We get precious little respect from them now because they are jealous of our lifestyle. Imagine going to them and telling them that we don’t mind if they want to strive towards modernism – to get disease and poverty under control – they just have to do it without petroleum products.

Before the exercise gets too bogged down, please go back to the original premise. Democrats are saying that we should not tap our own resources or build new refineries because they won’t be productive for at least 10 years. But I believe that in 10 years we will have produced more products, not less that will be made from petroleum! And I do not believe that we will have done away with petroleum driven cars by then – not by a long shot. Even if we radically change – we will still rely on petroleum as one of our most valuable resources.

Should we at long last start to drill, mine, and refine? Queue the Cable Guy.