The United States Government

The United States Government

In a time when it is popular to bash the United States Government, I think people should think about their freedoms and try and remember everything the United States does to help around the world. We are extremely lucky to be living in a country that allows its citizens to speak however they choose about their elected officials. We are extremely lucky to be able to demonstrate for causes that are important to us. We are extremely lucky to be able to vote for the candidate of our choice without fear. There are many people around the world who do not have, what we consider, basic freedoms. These freedoms are not known to people in Iran, North Korea, Cuba or other communist countries around the world. Cuban people were just now able to get cell phones in April of 2008.

The United States is one of the most generous countries in the World. The United States provides hope to suffering people throughout the world. Soon after the tsunami hit Indonesia in 2006 the United States had more than 150 personnel on the ground participating in the relief and reconstruction effort. The United States has given $950 million dollars to support the people and reconstruction of their country after the tsunami hit.

The United States, by 2010, will have doubled the amount of monetary assistance given in 2004, to 8.7 billion dollars to help fight HIV/AIDS and malaria in Africa. Hundreds of thousands of new textbooks have been given to the children of Africa to help with their education. In the last eight years the United States has more than doubled its development assistance to Africa.

These are just a few examples of why we should be proud of our government. Is there any wonder why people risk their lives in small boats or rafts to try and make it to the United States? We are a long way from the “Perfect Union” our founders talked about but we continue to try and get there.

RE: "Crude Crusade"

I am writing this in response to a blog titled “Crude Crusade”. In the “Crude Crusade” the author talks about the record breaking profits the oil companies made last year. The author failed to mention that the oil companies make only around five cents per gallon profit on every gallon of gas they sell. On the other hand, the federal and state governments make around 46 cents per gallon of gas sold. Which seems more fair, five cents per gallon profit for the company that does all the work or 46 cents profit to the government for doing nothing? Did you know that there is a democratic representative from Michigan who wants to add a fifty cent per gallon tax to gasoline to force people to cut down on consumption?

The United States has very little control over the cost of crude oil. Opec member countries can restrain their crude oil production as they see fit. Opec nations, which the United States is not a member, account for over two-thirds of the world oil reserves and more than 35% of the world’s oil production. If they choose not to increase production, there is not a lot we can do about it.

The author also talks about the disappointment they feel in the current administration’s handling of rising oil prices. The author failed to mention that this administration has continued to talk about how we need to support alternate fuels and to get off oil. The administration also put in its 2006 budget 84 million dollars to be used for on-going research for ethanol and biodiesel fuels. The administration also tried to get additional drilling for oil in our own country in Alaska. The environmentalists would have nothing to do with that. Even if we were able to drill for additional oil in our country, our refineries are running to the max. We have not built any new refineries since 1976.

The President is only as good as the Congress. Unfortunately with a democratic controlled congress, the chances of this President getting anything passed are slim. I can’t see the congress wanting the President to get any credit, especially in an election year.