I want the world to be better for everyone

I'm an economist. Now I hate economics. Don't get me wrong: it's why I am the way I am, and for that I'm thankful. Problem is this field is the study of limited resources. And this definition flies in the face of the one resource on our planet that has no limit - us. And that's only 1 unlimited resource! I want to harness these unlimited resources, because it will mean "standards of living" are also unlimited - to us! And that will mean the greed will go away. Nothing to do but blog.

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Now what?

Part of a letter I sent to Dad and Mary Jane today:

Hey, missed your call Saturday!

We were on our way to Jefferson. We thought about stopping by, but we were so off the beaten path, it was out of the way. We should've called ahead. On the other hand, you got to spend time with daughter this go round. I'm glad!

Passed by an interesting place on the way back (I forget where, and Casey was asleep at the time). Along the lines of this gas war email. We passed by a "bio fuels" farm it looked like! Right there in the middle of the Piney Woods! I think around Jacksonville, but I don't remember. Our farmers are "on the case", as always! People so disrespect them (even I, a novice farmer, have before), but they keep on "farming".

THAT'S the ticket to freedom from petrol right there! Bio diesel, biogas or whatever comes after (electric, solar, whatever, as long as it isn't petroleum and we have short and long term plans both). Biodiesel, with a fuel line modification, if that's needed, to any big ole diesel pickup you see driving around East Texas (have you seen any?! Did I say our farmers are already "on the case", as always?), can easily reduce petro diesel consumption all by itself! And if for your next car, you purchase a diesel that can burn biodiesel, well that's one less petrol burner on the road! We're thinking about that, but worried with bio diesel prices and pollution (though there is a tax rebate for hybrids already, and biodiesel is a good enough short term solution for me). Imagine a hybrid diesel!!

Speaking of hybrids, sales are going out the roof, I see! So the petrol companies WILL take notice, if they haven't already. We're at about 2.599 in town now. ABSOLUTELY that is not the standard that will be beaten into my head by billions in profit poured into "warm fuzzy" marketing campaigns!!! There are so many folks around me, just "making ends meet", broadsided by a bunch of greedy oilmen! For merely those around me, the price is coming down!

Meanwhile, vote for the alternatives in every "vote" that comes up. In every letter, phonecall, email to representative: "ALTERNATIVE FUELS, ALTERNATIVE FUELS, ALTERNATIVE FUELS!!!" It's past time for "Big Oil" to pay. Heaven knows they've profited. Bless the roughnecks, so we should think our "retaliation" through with them in mind.

Need I mention the blood that's been shed for and by oil? I worry for my family, this family that has raised me and still does raise me so wisely. I think about my uncles, Billy Bob (and William M Manion), Carrol Keith, and James Butler, my father, Kara Brooks, and my cousin Lee! I think about the wives, mothers and daughters who worried for them, fought the war right alongside! The many families torn apart by the war, directly or indirectly! They put their lives on the line for me! Where would I be without them now? I've cried over and over about this! I choke it back now! I'm so lucky!

I almost feel their "lessons", or "commands" to me, my heroes: From this day forward, ENOUGH!!!! From this day forward, no more uncles, no more fathers, no more cousins, no more friends, no more 19 year olds with their whole lives ahead of them, better ideas in their grasp, ENOUGH!!! From this day forward, we'll all be "lucky"!

I almost hear the command straight from the battlefield without them giving it: "Earn this, son/nephew/cousin! That's all I ask! You know what to do! Go do it!" If I was in the line of fire like they were, I'd surely be scared senseless (Dad, Uncles, Cousin, I think I get the picture, but please correct me). But I'm not in the line of fire. And I'll do everything I know to do and then some, with adrenaline-clear head, to keep it that way. I'll "fight".

Kedren Reade, reporting for "duty".