U.S. reliance on Mideast oil a myth

In order to promote his energy initiative in his latest campaign mailing, 10th District incumbent Rep. Mark Kirk echoes the popular myth that the United States is dependent on the Middle East for oil.

Using publicly available information from a government Web site, one can refute this premise.

A quick visit to the Energy Information Agency Web site reveals we acquire about 40 percent of our oil from domestic production.

Canada and Mexico are by far our largest sources of imported oil, and only one Middle Eastern nation, Saudi Arabia, is in the top five foreign suppliers.

Mr. Kirk either isn't doing his homework or doesn't care to base his positions on facts. Both cases are inexcusable, as is the racism implicit in singling-out one region of people.

As a once and future candidate for Mr. Kirk's job, I have found that this technique works for any claim made by any politician. Never accept a candidate's opinion in place of facts.

David J. Kalbfleisch

Green Party candidate for Congress

Arlington Heights