Immediate problems are not being taken seriously

We really are in a world-of-hurt. Our national policies are causing the prices of various commodities such as oil to go skyrocketing. However, we are being told "we are going EV" and not to worry. The powers that be are saying "C'mon, lets build those EVs now and declare our independence as soon as possible." I would like someone to explain to me how we are able to build and sell EV vehicles but not gas-powered ones.

Have we forgotten that we can't even build new gas-powered vehicles right now because of a chip shortage? Toyota has just slowed down production for the next three months of their cars because of this issue. I cant figure out how EV's are going to get built since they need those same chips.

Oh, by the way, did you know that EV lithium-ion batteries require "nickel?" It's one of a couple of different precious commodities that are used. Guess which country is a key supplier? Clue: Not the U.S. nor any country we currently call "friends."

It doesn't appear that our immediate needs are being taken seriously. How high are we willing to have our gas prices go while proclaiming EV is the way to go? Why not go back to practices that produce oil in the short run until we can get the shortage situations addressed?

We may have to go back to "remote" work and school as it will become difficult (not cost-effective) for people to driving their cars or have buses pickup our kids. What will that do to the economy when people start to minimize their visits to any kind of brick-and-mortar business including entertainment venues.

I've heard people tell me that there is less traffic on the roads recently. It's happening.

Laurie Taylor

Arlington Heights