liberals want to destroy the only economic salvation

[Econoline]

So what's the government supposed to do? Spend even more money subsidizing natural gas so it becomes more lucrative to keep it Stateside?

No, allow only the export of surplus gas after our domestic needs have been met first. It is better to use the gas to provide jobs for our people than to sell it overseas.

Just how would that work? Who would determine whether "our domestic needs have been met"? How would the price be set, if not by the current system of supply and demand on the world market? How much would this massive new regulation of the gas and oil industry cost? (And why would that industry ever agree to it, if they can't even agree not to contaminate our drinking water?)

The US energy department would make the decision and coordinate enforcement. The goal would be to insure cheap natural gas for US homes and factories. That might be somewhat socialist, but that is the way I see it. My interest is what is best for my children, grandchildren and country.

Liberty, I have to say your idea of what can be called "liberal" here in the U.S. is pretty screwy. I think you probably listen too much and give too much credence to right-wing talk radio; every time I happen to hear one of those shows it seems like the host spends most of his time telling his audience "what liberals think"--which is of course only what he wants you to believe that liberals think. Which, as an actual avowed liberal, I know is usually completely wrong. Just remember: whenever you hear someone who is NOT a liberal telling you what "liberals believe" it is almost certainly a complete distortion of the truth, or a complete fabrication.

You began this thread by attributing to "great liberals" a problem caused by laissez-faire free-market economics, and then eventually, when pressed, came up with a "solution" that I'm sure liberals and conservatives would all agree was an extremely far left-wing plan. If such a plan were ever actually proposed by any politician, I can assure you that there would be vehement, vociferous opposition--and liberals would not be the ones leading the fray.

[Lord Jim]

whenever you hear someone who is NOT a liberal telling you what "liberals believe" it is almost certainly a complete distortion of the truth, or a complete fabrication.

A fair point, but it is equally true that when you hear someone who is NOT a conservative telling you what "conservatives believe" it is almost certainly a complete distortion of the truth, or a complete fabrication. ("party of treason", "racists", "women haters", "anti-science" etc...)

When it comes to simple minded, cartoonish stereo-types of the opposition, conservatives don't own the franchise...

There's plenty of it to go around...

[Econoline]

True, and I try to keep that in mind.

But there DO seem to be a lot more self-described "conservatives" with talk radio shows.

[liberty]

[uote]

The US energy department would make the decision and coordinate enforcement. The goal would be to insure cheap natural gas for US homes and factories. That might be somewhat socialist, but that is the way I see it. My interest is what is best for my children, grandchildren and country.

You began this thread by attributing to "great liberals" a problem caused by laissez-faire free-market economics, and then eventually, when pressed, came up with a "solution" that I'm sure liberals and conservatives would all agree was an extremely far left-wing plan. If such a plan were ever actually proposed by any politician, I can assure you that there would be vehement, vociferous opposition--and liberals would not be the ones leading the fray.

I don't care if it is left or right, capitalist or socialist all I care about is how well it works for my people. I don't see anything wrong with the restricting the export of anything. We do it for national security technology or alt least we used to do it. Natural gas could be declared a national security commodity after all a strong economy is essential to our national security.

I was curious if I would get any extreme environmental opinions. I have read nothing so far that I don't see as moderate. People expressed concern about clean water, but I have those same concerns myself.

[Gob]