Last edited Mon Jun 29, 2015, 07:08 AM - Edit history (1)
Even if we have a credible powering of energy independence I don't see the US simply walking away from oil simply because of greed. The corporate interests directing the foreign policy isn't satisfied with enough they always want it all. It is like a parasitic control of global resources -- like an invasive species. Oil companies not only get the most tax breaks they also receive subsidies & even the regulations are scaled back or don't really apply to them.
Even now Saudi Arabia moved down to a distant second as our top importer thanks to the Shale gas boom but most of the US stuff is exported to Canada and most of Canada's petroleum is exported to US which doesn't make a lot of sense but I'm guessing there's probably a get rich quick scheme. This has only given them the power to control it more, particularly in crippling the oil producing nations of Iran & Russia and we are back to calling Venezuela an enemy again.
What needs to happen though for some reason consider it far more unlikely than transiting to an energy independent nation is cleaning house from top to bottom of executive branch agencies & real reforms. Especially in the defense industry, there are so many layers, things on top of things, contractors (some are undercover CIA agents) to subcontractors, subsidiaries, the ones in charge tasked to give this to whose in charge to give this to (goes on).
TPP is mostly about, particularly with the copyright stuff, is to push generic drug manufacturers out of the way in places like Malaysia with a thriving pharmaceutical sector with pharmacies everywhere providing low cost drugs & Thailand imports a lot of generics. With them out of the way with only the US approved drug companies with the rights to sell them creates a monopoly so they can jack up the price. They gotta have more, not satisfied with what the profits they already have.
What does need to happen is for demand for oil to fall to the floor. The gas tax I'd support because it is low in comparison to Europe countries such as Germany or Japan but taxes in go, expenditures out so you could in theory say this goes here but the overall money so this tax revenue from here can go there. (Economics was a primary study in CC) so in reality I imagine it would go to the oil companies. Certainly need to cut back on the tax breaks and end the subsidies (they are really not necessary & basically amount to looting the treasury transferring the wealth from taxpayers into the hands of private interests). There is a lot we can do though I think it is far more than a 'need' of Saudi oil because there is a 'greed' of everybody else's oil too, at-least as far as US multinational profits are concerned.
On edit -- right now US & Canada has a much bigger slice of the pie though US remains a net exporter but the pie from 2012 best illustrates my point
These are the recent numbers (imports)
Top five countries
Canada 3.39 (37%) 0.80 2.58
Saudi Arabia 1.17 (13%) 0.00 1.16
Mexico 0.84 (9%) 0.55 0.29
Venezuela 0.79 (9%) 0.08 0.71
Russia 0.36 (4%) 0 0.36
http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=727&t=6
How much oil consumed by the United States comes from foreign sources?
In 2014, about 27% of the petroleum consumed by the United States was imported from foreign countries,1 the lowest level since 1985.
http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=32&t=6
On edit -- Saudi Arabia is pretty close to being a top importer of weapons in the world so their is the financial desire from defense contractors to keep that pace going as well. A lot of foreign policy decisions is about $$ for the private defense, no sector is doing better in the stock market since 2000 or so, Obama has actually spent more than Bush on defense.
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