Why don't we have true energy policy?

The United States has never had a national energy policy.

The closest we've come to one was during the Carter Administration with 55 miles per hour speed limits and pending legislation to ration gasoline and heating fuel (which was never implemented).

That administration encouraged and subsidized synthetic fuels and conservation and ordered automakers to improve gas mileage.

Nationally, self-serve gasoline averages over $3.50 per gallon and we continue to buy fuel-hungry SUVs and consume inordinate amounts of coal-and-oil-generated power.

The only way this country will take this matter seriously is when gasoline costs $5-$6 a gallon, and it will, because that is close to the real cost of energy when carbon footprints and similar social costs are included.

The rest of the world pays $3 to $5 per liter. Why shouldn't we?

Certainly oil company profits are almost criminally high, but as long as we buy their products, they have no incentive to invest in alternative fuels or encourage conservation.

More importantly, this country's future is being mortgaged to pay for our fuel and we are increasingly exposed to foreign blackmail and terror because of our reliance on and importation of, petroleum.

I wish gasoline would cost whatever it has to so this country gets "mad as hell and will not take it anymore" as the movie line goes.

Congressional investigations into oil company profits are just fluff with no lasting meaning or goal.

Maybe when we all get hurt enough in our pocketbooks, and we're not there yet, with perhaps the exception of cab drivers and over-the-road truckers, will this corrupt administration pay attention to the people.

Have you noticed that in seven years, neither Bush or Cheney have ever admitted a single error? Must be nice to be perfect. And to be able to ignore your constituency.

David L. Schein

Mount Prospect