Let's keep the politics off the the List.

Regards,

BenT
Mod hat on

> On Feb 21, 2014, at 11:16 AM, JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> I remember that issue. Incredibly narrow minded - had quality products
> been available that condition would not have existed.
> 
> Did you know....
> 
> During the Carter Administration, Carter had the DOT build innovative
> cars and introduce new technologies with an eye to giving it all to industry to change the automotive world and make cars more fuel efficient and safer. Three demo cars were built that included anti skid brakes, airbags, and a host of other features. Carter was right - but naive. As the Reagan Administrations philosophy took hold, Carters efforts were rejected out of hand, and the three demo cars destroyed.
> The Good Ol' Boys were having none of it. It was "Big Iron" and gas hogs all the way!  Yet look where we are today. Carter was farsighted in that respect. He wanted us off of foreign oil, felt we were energy dependent on the Middle east and therefore vulnerable as a nation. He was right.
> Every since Nixon got us off the gold standard and on the oil standard - the Middle East - and most particularly the Saudi's - have had us by the um, er, ah - you know! If there is so much as a burp in the Mid- east oil flow, prices of fuel go crazy. Our civilization is built on it's transportation - and if that energy flow is interrupted for any reason for any length of time - we in this country will be in a world of hurt!.
> The Kuwait and Iraq wars - all about securing the oil flow - not much
> else. All the flag waving and patriotic fervor was poorly spent. It was about oil - and profits!
> 
> John