More oil drilling in U.S. is essential

So the price of gasoline is over $4 a gallon and is heading toward $5. The $4 price represents a 67 percent increase per gallon since Obama took office. Does he not recognize the obvious, that these prices are crippling our economy and will prevent ever coming out of this recession?

Oil prices affect not only gasoline but just about every part of our economy. Oil production in the United States is predicted to decrease by 190,000 barrels per day in 2012 as a result of this administration’s policy of shutting down drilling in the gulf and the near impossible task of obtaining new leases since the BP disaster. While the BP event was devastating, carbon-based fuels are and will be for the near future the base energy source for this nation whether we like it or not — this is reality.

President Obama’s plan for alternate energy sources to replace our dependence on oil is commendable, but most of these sources will not be effective in the quantity required for years and more likely decades. So the problem is now. We cannot afford to ignore this situation any longer. Why can’t Obama or anybody in his administration connect the dots? We should be feverishly drilling in the gulf as well as Alaska and other costal areas to reduce or, better yet, eliminate our dependence on foreign oil. If we continue on our current path, we will soon be strangled by Middle Eastern countries gouging us at their whim while our economy collapses waiting for “green” energy. That is the real price we will pay.

Connect the dots, Mr. President. Do something!

Bill Koller

Des Plaines