Identifying our Friends (and Enemies) - 234

There are two critical problems facing the world today.  The future of humanity depends on both and they are interrelated.  The democratically elected Ukrainian government is fighting for its existence against the Russian oil supported dictatorship of Vladimir Putin.   Simultaneously, the world is in the first stages of transitioning away from oil, coal, and gas. 

Recently the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, whose members are predominantly nondemocratic nations and control 80% of the world’s oil reserves, cut production. This action will raise gas and oil prices around the world.  OPEC production reductions mean higher prices at the pump for you and me.

In a crime the judge will often ask “Cui bono” which is Latin for “to whom is it a benefit”. The question often reveals who the criminal is.  In this case the beneficiary and the criminal is Putin. The benefit bestowed upon Putin was a 2 million barrel cut in oil production by OPEC which will raise the price of gas and diesel worldwide.  This rise in price gives this brutal dictator more money to fund his war on Ukraine and increases his personal wealth.  By bestowing this benefit upon Putin, the OPEC nations are now parties to the crime.

OPEC, in addition to participating in the Russian crime, is also threatening the post Covid economic recovery.  We in the United States as well as citizens in other democratic nations, will suffer higher energy prices. However, these fabricated prices by countries with malicious intent, do not have to sap our determination. We do not have to falter in our commitment to the transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy.  We should not weaken our commitment to the democratically elected Ukrainian government.

The challenge to each of us is not only our commitment to survivable forms of energy but also our commitment to democracy here and around the world.  Fossil fuel price increases, by the non-democratic multinational mob called OPEC, challenge the famous American strength of character. Will we see these crises through or will we let democracy fade into history. If we lose democracy, we lose any chance of pulling the world climate out of its death spiral.

We as citizens are not helpless. If we use less energy by insulating our homes and devote more time to planning and coordinating with our friends and neighbors to drive less, we can reduce our consumption of fossil fuel. By reducing our consumption, we weaken the upward pressure on the prices inflicted on us.

The strong support for Ukraine by both the Republican and Democratic parties should be a source of pride for all of us.  Both parties need to confirm and strengthen their support for democracy here and abroad.

When analyzing the transition to clean energy, a transition which will eventually make us independent of OPEC nations, it is clear the Democratic party and the Biden administration have taken the leadership role. Remember this when you vote.

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