Thread: Question for conservatives

Since you are mostly free market economists, I would like to know why you think we should drill for oil in currently restricted places in the US and drive the price down by increasing supply, when you certainly must believe alternative energy won't be developed until the cost of oil goes up to where it is profitable to do so?

Wouldn't drilling for oil in the arctic and offshore put a stop to investment in other kinds of energy and in 20 years, we'll be back to square one, and in the meantime all new businesses that will be created that rely on fossil fuels making the transition no easier than it is now?

My guess is that because oil is quite plentiful and, when compared to other forms of energy, is pretty easy to extract and utilize. I'm not sure why anyone would think that finding more oil would be contrary to a free market philosophy.

Originally Posted by FAR52

My guess is that because oil is quite plentiful and, when compared to other forms of energy, is pretty easy to extract and utilize. I'm not sure why anyone would think that finding more oil would be contrary to a free market philosophy.

Then why isn't there enough of it? Or is the price going up not a supply and demand thing?

Originally Posted by Blueneck

Then why isn't there enough of it? Or is the price going up not a supply and demand thing?

It's a GREED thing!

Originally Posted by Blueneck

Then why isn't there enough of it? Or is the price going up not a supply and demand thing?

If you are talking about domestic pumping of oil, it is because there are a number of regulations that prohibit oil companies from drilling within oil-rich deposits of the U.S.

Originally Posted by FAR52

If you are talking about domestic pumping of oil, it is because there are a number of regulations that prohibit oil companies from drilling within oil-rich deposits of the U.S.

So you think the one and only problem with high fuel prices is that we aren't drilling in ANWAR? That would supply us with cheap oil indefinitely?

Originally Posted by Blueneck

So you think the one and only problem with high fuel prices is that we aren't drilling in ANWAR? That would supply us with cheap oil indefinitely?

I neither said nor implied that.

Originally Posted by Blueneck

So you think the one and only problem with high fuel prices is that we aren't drilling in ANWAR? That would supply us with cheap oil indefinitely?

I agree where did you get this from? Sounds like this is the argument you were wanting to make so you just interjected it awkwardly, lol.

Originally Posted by Blueneck

Since you are mostly free market economists, I would like to know why you think we should drill for oil in currently restricted places in the US and drive the price down by increasing supply, when you certainly must believe alternative energy won't be developed until the cost of oil goes up to where it is profitable to do so?

Wouldn't drilling for oil in the arctic and offshore put a stop to investment in other kinds of energy and in 20 years, we'll be back to square one, and in the meantime all new businesses that will be created that rely on fossil fuels making the transition no easier than it is now?

Well you have to understand the powers that stop the flow of oil, are the oil companies (actually its owners, and use government control) The powers are the same ones behind the environmental movment as well. These powers are also the ones stopping alternative energy. The whole thing is a control game.

We have all the oil we need, but it is controlled by a few. In other countries they are buying gas for 15 to 25 cents a gallon. But not here in the USA.

Originally Posted by Blueneck

Since you are mostly free market economists, I would like to know why you think we should drill for oil in currently restricted places in the US and drive the price down by increasing supply, when you certainly must believe alternative energy won't be developed until the cost of oil goes up to where it is profitable to do so?

Since conservative is a pretty broad term these days, I can say that I support a free market.

Drilling for more oil is asinine, considering that we are producing at about 80% capacity domestically. It's nothing more than a political ploy to make it look like some people are trying to do something.

Wouldn't drilling for oil in the arctic and offshore put a stop to investment in other kinds of energy and in 20 years, we'll be back to square one, and in the meantime all new businesses that will be created that rely on fossil fuels making the transition no easier than it is now?

I agree 100%. Not to mention that we wouldn't see a drop of that oil for 10 years. Hopefully in 10 years we aren't near as reliant on fossil fuels.