The critical need for us to drill for oil

We must drill for oil. And now.

McCain says yes. Obama says no.

The argument that it cannot solve our problem for up to 10 years merely says we should have proceeded to drill 10 years ago.

Of course, we want to protect wild life and the planet, and steps must be taken to do this, but we must drill despite some collateral damage.

The fact is that this need for oil goes beyond political arguments The growing need for oil here and throughout the world means this shortage and the competition will only become much worse.

Efforts should continue to harness wind, the tides, batteries, solar power. More efficient autos and work on fuel other than gasoline is necessary. We also have to make more efficient use of electricity and the energy that we now have.

None of these steps alone will solve the pollution and energy problems, but drilling now is a very important step to take.

Our planet has limited resources and a burgeoning population competing for them. There are almost seven billion people and populations are growing at an accelerating rate.

There will be battles fought by those in need to get their share (water or food next?) in order to survive.

We cannot afford to be at the mercy of Iran, Russian, Venezuela or others who don't like us. When supplies do not meet demand, the prices always rise.

The fact that we are working on this will in itself help keep prices down. There is no excuse for either presidential candidate to ignore this problem.

Recent years have seen the greatest transfer of wealth (oil) in human history.

Let this drilling be one of the "changes" that we hear so much about. Obama has changed positions on other issues; hopefully he will change it on this one.

Wiliam D. McNutt

Des Plaines