It is important for all of us to be aware of the rising prices of oil here in the United States and the connection it has to all of the events occurring in the Middle East over the past several weeks. Please watch this brief two minute video from CBS about rising oil prices:
Libya turmoil and oil prices
Here is an article with more information for your reading:
Oil Price Spike
Thoughts? reactions? What do you think will be the end result from this entire situation?
15 comments:
First off, it is crazy and frightening to think that a protest in Libya can have this much of an effect on us half a world away. In the article, it said that Libya only is responsible for 2% of the world's oil and only 5% of its exports go to the U.S., yet they still have this much control over us - this is the first part of what is wrong with this situation. In my mind, there are two options for the U.S., both a which are opposite extremes: 1. Do not get involved and find another way to offset the rising costs of oil or 2. Get involved and risk still paying for high oil prices, spending more money for the conflict, and the possibility of American troops in Libya. In my opinion, neither option will work. Like it said in the article, higher oil prices will only hurt the economy, which is dangerous considering we're so fragile already. Even more important, I think Americans should fear getting involved over there because we don't need to committ more of our military in areas around the world. Plus, considering this is the second Middle Eastern country to revolt in the last month, who knows what is coming next from over there. We shouldn't get involved until there are absolutely no other options. I realize the economy is fragile and I am certain that focusing on the economy should be our #1 issue, but I also think that there has to be some solution to dealing with high oil prices so that our whole economy doesn't end up in ruins as it would if we pursue military options.
I completely agree with Morgan. It is ridiculous that America is in this position. We used to be the greatest superpower to grace the world stage, but we have let our dependence on foreign oil cripple our economy and our global status. If America does not start lessening its dependence on oil, we will no longer be able to compete with the advanced nations gaining more power everyday all around us. I personally believe that the United States government has the means of weaning the nation off of expensive foreign oil, but until Americans demand a change they will postpone releasing the technology because the oil industry is so lucrative. It is up to American citizens to decide not to put-up with high gas prices anymore; change must start with the people. Getting involved in conflict in the Middle East will not change anything; change must originate in the United States if we are to survive. The world as a whole is becoming more and more unstable; if we want to remain a strong nation we must separate ourselves from these radical nations and strengthen our homeland. We need to focus on American advancement or risk getting swept-up into the tide of insanity that is sweeping through the Middle East. If America does not begin transitioning to green technology soon, we risk complete dependence on an unstable Middle East.
This makes me so angry and it is just dumb. We have enough issues going on here and we don’t need to add another but this is a problem. I don’t know what we are going to do to fix it, but something needs to happen. We need to become less dependent on other countries for stuff we need because of situations like these, that’s for sure. I just know that we can’t put military in there. At this point I am all for going green when it comes to this oil business but it’s even expensive to by a green car. The rising prices of oil will only hurt Americans this summer and add to frustration. We also need to get out of debt soon but with this going on it doesn’t look likely. I am personally just a little angry that I will be getting my license when gas prices will be going up. I have no idea about what will happen in the end but I am concerned.
Not to be repetitive, but I completely agree with Morgan. Why does what they do have so much affect on us? You would've thought with all of the technology available in our world today, we could prevent this! However, I do feel that if they continue to rise and hurt our economy we need to not take action. A war, or any type of interference for that matter will simply cost too much money. If we choose to send over troops and attempt take over, we are simply risking too many lives, for what I feel is not a just cause. Yes, I understand that the gas prices are most likely going to sky rocket, and from a newly licensed driver, I am extremely sad. However, on the bright side, people will not even want to drive anymore, causing them to walk or ride a bike! This could potentially lower the obesity rates in America. Maybe thats stretching it a little far, but it could be good! If other countries in the middle east continue to follow these two's examples, things could go very bad. In the end, we need to find an alternative to oil as energy for cars. If we did, I feel that many problems today would become smaller, and its positive impact will be forever changing. So i'll get working on that, most likely wont be in school tomorrow because of it.
It was interesting waching the video on the oil situation and then reading the article on it. Even though Libya is repsonsible for only 2% of the oil that is used in the United States, the fact that Libya refines "fine" oil instead of "sour" oil was very intriguing. That is why the oil prices have skyrocketed. Honestly though, Americans cannot afford to pay more than they are already paying for gas. It is an obscenely high amount and very inflated in my opinion. Libya needs to keep their oil refinaries open and running. Even though that may sound selfish I don't really care. Unfortunantly, America is one of the top three consumers of oil and energy. The country's economy will plummet to say the least if oil prices continue to rise. I do believe that military presence will be needed in Libya temporarily to keep the refinaries running IF Libya doesn't make a change soon. I personally do not want to be paying $5.00 a gallon for gas. This is my opinion on the article.
I like Celine’s response a lot, and I agree that riding our bikes or walking would help us in all areas. Unfortunately that idea won’t be liked very much by the rest of the population….
In all honesty I’ve always had issues with the price of oil, and this ‘situation’ is just making me angry. In order for the US to grow economically we need to stop relying so heavily on foreign countries (ESPICIALLY the Middle East). I don’t know how those Europeans are surviving; $8 per gallon is absolutely ridiculous. I think that the only real option left is finding an alternative. It can’t be that hard we have plenty of renewable sources like water or air, why can’t we convert those to fuel engines? I know people have been trying for a while, but nobody has found a solution yet. We have to find an alternative or else our economy will plummet even deeper as we try to control the chaos in countries supplying us with oil.
I agree with what Alannah said about the U.S. already having way too much going on to have to deal with skyrocketing gas prices, especially when the prices don't have to be this high! The Middle East has done literally nothing for us except cause trouble. 2% of oil? Not worth it when we would be risking so much since the Middle East is so unstable. Finding 2% of our oil from somewhere else doesn't seem like a huge deal when you think about the outrageous headache we're saving the United States by staying out of this situation. Getting involved has only hurt us thus far. I think one of the best (though more expensive) solutions is finding alternative energy for cars.
I completely agree with Mary Kate's response. Also, I agree with the comments that, one, I do not understand how the European's are getting by with their gas prices, and two, that in order for America to start benefiting itself, we must break ties with people we are absolutely dependent on. We can't be so eager to jump and help those who will benefit us. We always seem to get caught in a situation that is hard to get out of. We need to learn how to benefit from ourselves. So much money is donated to finding for efficient ways to power cars. Why isn't anything developing and being used from all this money and time put into the research? We need to use our basic resources like the sun and wind, which is free and doesn't start wars! We need to start taking advantage of what is right in front of us, not sending troops overseas to be killed for what we are importing.
I agree with what Morgan said about the two possible options that exist for the United States when it comes to attempting to fix this situation, and agree that they both are very unlikely to help. Driving by the gas stations, witnessing the prices rise day by day, I cringe knowing that these prices will unfortunately continue rising. I feel like I am being robbed every time I need to fill up my gas tank. After reading this article and discovering that Libya’s oil production is only 2% of the world’s oil, and how much of an impact this small percentage has on the United States, was shocking. It is feared that other Middle Eastern countries, with greater influence on oil, will follow in Libya’s actions by also putting a halt on oil production, such as: Iran (5%) and Saudi Arabia (12%). In comparison to most European or Asian nations, we Americans should actually consider ourselves lucky. In other nations, gas prices have been seen to hit $8 per gallon, which is more than double what our national average is today for regular gas at $3.19 per gallon. This rise in the price of gas certainly will not help the economy, as the article and other comments above me state. A quote from the article I found to point this out very well: “Typically, every one-cent increase in the pump price of gasoline takes more than $1 billion out of consumer pockets over a year.” The minimizing of consumers money results in the reduction in consumer spending, which affects the economy as a whole. My hope for this situation include that the government will find some way to prevent the continuation of rising gas prices, for the sake of my pocket and others in the U.S. Our country cannot afford to go through another economic trauma.
It is unbelievable how much one revolt in a country can have so much effect on our economy. We have way too much dependence on the foreign oil industry. It can get even worse if more countries on the other side of the globe are going to start revolting like Egypt and Libya. We could find ourselves in huge trouble if more countries began rebelling, especially in places like Saudi Arabia which depend on so much for oil. There are so many problems and issues going on inside of America and now this just another problem added to the platter. I do think that this has a chance of becoming increasingly problematic and needs to be taken care of somehow. I don’t believe that America can afford to get to involved in the moment but waiting could end up costing us in the end. I think that there is a benefit coming from this in that America will press to become greener and technology can be made so that are transportation is not so concentrated on oil. People won’t be using cars as much but instead riding a bike or walking. Scientists will also be pushing to create new innovative to create transportation that won’t depend on oil, such as the chargeable motorcycle in the video. I do think that we have dug ourselves in a big hole by relying so heavily on the foreign oil industry but hopefully in the end we won’t end up like Europe has which is absolutely crazy that their gas prices are reaching $8 per gallon.
In my opinion, people in the United States are acting very selfish in this situation and not recognizing that this may be a good thing. We have been having problems with governments in the Middle East for a long time, and as we all know, have gone as far as waging war in order to try and solve problems. However, now that a country is trying to take care of its own problems and have a revolution, we are flipping out about gas prices. So where is the happy medium? Allowing the countries to revolt, but only if our gas in the U.S. is not affected? Or should we get directly involved so that production of oil continues and, in return, get ourselves into more debt by spending money we don't have? I think the real problems is our dependence on oil in the first place. In my opinion, we should work as a country to try and reduce oil consumption and find other means of inexpensive energy. Secondly, we should team up with other countries who are also being affected, like England, to come up with a plan of action in case things in the Middle East become out of control. We should look out for the global economy and step in when absolutely necessary. It is hard to know what will happen, but I really think that this is not an issue that we be resolved soon.
It is so scary that we have to be in this situation. It seems like everything is falling apart at the same time and the oil crisis is the cherry on top. It is hard to believe that even though Libya contributes little of the world's oil, it is definitely effecting us, as Morgan said. This situation is basically a lose lose to be honest. We could get involved and put our country at serious risk. We have so much going on in our country right now and have too much on our plates. That reason is why we should not get involved but if we don't get involved, how are we going to solve this oil catastrophe? I really do not know where I stand on the Libya issue because there are only cons in this situation. Our country is getting weaker and weaker and if we get involved, it will only make things worse. If there is one solid concrete fact I can pull out of this issue, it is that America is screwed no matter what we do.
In Libya, the situation is definitely rising to a dangerous level and that will mean burdens for us in the U.S. If we truly do not want to get involved then that burden will be to deal with the rising gas prices. If not then we will get involved over in Africa and put our troops in danger all because of gas prices. While I realize this is not as simple as I'm making it out to be, and while it is by no means a black and white situation, I believe we should realize we can't go rushing into any more foreign countries while we ourselves are not in order. For something as little as gas prices, I think patience is the best choice. Personally, I believe it is rather sad that no one cares about the people dying in Libya. However, I'm beginning to grow accustomed to the American belief that we can only take care of ourselves. In my heart, I will always wish there was another alternative that could help the Libyans and keep Americans safe, but I know that is impossible. In the end, my hope is that Libya will be able to make progress just as Egypt did, and even if gas does not immediately go down in price, I feel confident it will once Libya begins to see progress in their government and feel rewarded for their efforts and not feel that their losses were in vain.
I agree with Alannah about how America relies on other countries way too much. It is ridiculous that Libya barely contributes to our oil supply, yet the protest has a huge effect on the gas prices and economy in the U.S. We need to become less dependent on other countries because it is essential to our economy and way of life. Going green, or at least trying to eliminate our dependence on other nations, is a solution to this issue and should be a priority in order to avoid such situations like this. America should not get involved in Libya either because either way, it can have a negative effect on the U.S., and gas prices would still soar. By going to war, the U.S. would stretch its resources thin, and that is a risk we should not be taking at this point because its not worth it.
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