Wondering Why the U.S. Government Subsidizes Oil, While Pushing for Renewable Energy Remains Controversial?
As suggested in the graphic here, the answer is, in a word: corruption.
In addition to universal healthcare, the same case could be made for anything else that people generally want that doesn’t directly serve corporate interests: renewable energy, quality public schools, social programs that help keep kids out of prison, etc.
Until we overturn Citizens United, and restore democracy to “We the People,” our Congress will serve the needs of their corporate paymasters.
Actually, while the oil subsidies – like the renewable subsidies – are terribly structured, they are defensible.
Right now we live in a society that CANNOT withstand an oil shortage. We cannot. It therefore behooves us to make certain that private industry continues to explore and develop oil fields even when it’s not economically in their best interest, because it takes at least 2 years to go from exploration to pumping oil in a new field… and geopolitical events could tighten oil markets in months.
It makes sense to continue to offer incentives to companies to keep these operations going… because the free market is short sighted and stupid, and they will inevitably spread themselves too thin, and cut back exploration too far… and when we find ourselves really needing oil, we’ll be 2+ years away from a significant increase in production.
The above is the theory defending the idea behind subsidizing oil exploration… and you probably found yourself nodding along to some or perhaps much of it.
No-one with any sense whatsoever should call for eliminating subsidies for renewable energy, but I don’t mind the subsidies for oil exploration… I would like virtually everything about how government spends towards energy to be restructured, but in this case I cannot argue with the theory that justifies the need for government interaction with the market.
Craig,
Each time I read your passionate demand for more “democracy”, I’m left wondering if you understand in which century you think we are all living ?
This is not the America of small holding farmers with village political institutions.
“Democracy” doesn’t really exist, the system you live by is best described as a Constitutional representative government.
“Democracy’ isn’t improved by excluding some citizens or institutions. Inclusion is better that exclusion.
Corporations, large and small are fundamental to the economy and society. Just like trade unions, service organizations,citizens groups, political parties and all kinds of associations, corporations should also be allowed to contribute to public debate and policy.
The ideals of ‘Democracy’ aren’t helped by silencing the voice of organization of whom you disapprove.