Opinion
Letter: Oil barons have us over a barrel
Editor, Townsman:
It seems like yesterday that we were paying more than $4 per gallon for regular unleaded. Right now, you can fill up your car for less than half of what you paid this past July. The steady price run-up during the past two years followed by a nearly free-fall reduction in price has many wondering what happened and how do we plan for the future. Will the price stay low or will history repeat itself?
A recent Wall Street Journal article reported on more cuts in petroleum production in the Middle East. The cutbacks will enable oil-producing nations to boost worldwide prices to levels that maintain foreign government revenue levels and avoid reductions in the cartel members' treasuries. Frankly, the Middle East oil cartel has us over a barrel — it controls production and world commodity prices.
Petrodollars and politics have created a toxic environment where terrorism flourishes and energy independence is stifled. Our reliance on foreign energy supplies has enabled oil-rich nations to enhance their standing in the world at the expense of our own. We have suppressed our own opportunities to create competing energy markets over the past generation by providing taxpayer subsidies to mature and profitable U.S.-based energy industries.
We have run out of time for debate and speculation. We must take control of our energy crisis. Federal and state government must provide leadership and resources that will affect a transformation of our society in how energy is produced, managed and used.
Many have begun to change their energy habits. They drive less, buy smaller cars, use public transportation, install solar panels and keep thermostats low. I believe we are witnessing the beginning of an energy revolution.
But to achieve energy independence, we must radically reduce our use of fossil fuels. There is no doubt that this will be painful. We must fast-track alternative energy propulsion systems, mandate higher efficiency standards for cars and trucks, increase appliance efficiencies, and phase out market-distorting taxpayer subsidies to mature and profitable energy companies.
So let us lead the world in an energy revolution, instead of being mired in dependency.
John F. Zipeto
14 Canterbury St.
- Opinion
-
-
Editorial: Weighty issues of fall upon us
There's no question the area needed the water. But the cool, wet, overcast weather this week brought with it the relative gloom and reality that summer is coming to a close. You know, real summer - where kids are off from school, vacations are more plentiful, the sun is out past 7:30 p.m., and the town beach is open. With the start of school next Wednesday, Sept. 1, many will devote more attention again to the issues of the day - issues that don't involve sunscreen. Among those deserving of immediate attention are the upcoming state primary, and the plan to replace Bancroft Elementary with an approximately $35 million new school.
Continued ... -
Letter: Our tennis courts don't compete
Continued ...
Editor, Townsman:
In reference to your story about California Products, it's ironic that while Andover is home to the world's leading manufacturer of tennis court surfacing materials, our high school's courts are among the most poorly constructed and maintained in the region. -
Letter: Youth gave fresh face to Historical Society
Youth gave fresh face to Historical Society
Continued ...
Editor, Townsman:
on behalf of the board of directors of the Andover Historical Society, I would like to acknowledge the youth volunteers from the Summer Volunteer Program of the South Church. For three mornings this summer, they, accompanied by counselors and chaperones, worked painting the fence in the front of the Amos Blanchard House. They withstood the heat and were pleased with what they did, as we were. - Letter: Help Iraq refugees living locally
- Letter: Finegold work has had local and statewide impact
- Letter: Wilson would keep no-nonsense voice in senate
- Letter: Lyons would provide fiscal sanity, roll back taxes
- Letter: Rep. candidate Commane listens, leads, solves
- Letter: Silberstein supports what's right, regardless of its popularity
- Thursday, August 19, 2010
- Editorial: Successful changes cooked up in school lunchrooms
- Letter: Finegold helped him establish business
- Letter: Women's Equality Day should remind us to vote
- Letter: Oberto would not be beholden to special interests
- Letter: Great confidence in former prosecutor Tabit
- Letter: Finegold will look out for his hometown
- Letter: Tomasek hard-working and selfless, not flashy
- Thursday, August 12, 2010
- Editorial: Addison reopening awaited
- Letter: Town must end silence on water treatment plant investigation
- Letter: Carbone is antagonist, not watchdog
- Letter: Other candidates target endorsements by taking 'ridiculous positions'
-
Editorial: Weighty issues of fall upon us
