I am pleased to see that the economist Adam Smith agrees with me that self- interest and negotiated trade is the key to freedom and markets.
Regulations required, in constitution, cannot sell atomic technology; I would like to crucify the Germans who sold Soviet Union on how to machine quiet propeller for stealth submarines. That firm, no doubt say an opportunity for a sales, inquired if there was any law against it, made a nice profit and threaten with Western powers with ballistic missile annihilation. Free enterprise, yes. Regulation specifies what is considered acceptable by the representatives of the people. Ha !
Why do I have this discussion here, to represent foreign policy?
That there is a flaw in Islam ; it is with its founder -- a caravan robber turned warlord, not an other-worldly ascetic as are most religions -- HeZues was an Essentene monk .Buddha would harm nothing. Confucius was a scholar. Zoroaster sought truth through proper exercise of free will. Only the Abrahamic/Mohammed lines of the major world religions preach exclusivity and destruction of all who do not believe. And Christianity carries remnants of that violence as Hell-Fire and Damnation as a threat to non-believers, but in this life it calls for pity for them rather than their murder.
"Trade is global economic glue." -- good wording, negotiated self interest.
However, State-owned oil companies controlling over 75% of world reserves. Oil becomes an instrument of policy, not trade.
Please note, even in times of prosperity, "improving the condition of those overseas" is not on MY priority list.
World's population set to increase from 6.7 billion today to 9 billion by 2050. I say we must reduce this increase to
make the world population able to survive.
China oil imports to reach 8.5mb/d by 2010. Explains China interest in pipelines from middle east and in submarines to defend from our ability to end those sea-borne imports.
"Require far more investment" -- the solution is always to spend tax money. -- I say, create guaranteed market when specification /goals are met.
there are probably 100,000 mail trucks in use average life 5-8 years. Therefore can promise
USPS will by 30,000 trucks when 30 mpg reached, another 31,000 when 31mpg, another 32K when 32mpg
ad infinitum. No need to specify hybrid electric, fuel cell, solar, hydrogen, etc. Government must support or subsidize the bill for charging stations, etc. Guaranteed market will pay for startup and learning curve; prove the various technologies, after which other buyers will jump in
on a proven product and as initial costs come down.
The ancient animals and plants that we are told produced coal and oil were mostly algae that is neither plant nor animal. One species that is cutely called algeoleum will double in mass every day. 40% of body weight is bio-diesel.
Five pounds of wet algae, dry weight of 2.5 lb of this algae produce 1 lb of fuel a pint. An area of water (fresh or salt) the size of Maryland can replace all US petroleum usage. Wastewater provides the nutrients needed to grow. 10,000 gallons of bio fuel per acre per year -- better than corn ethanol. Pull off half the algae every day, squeeze out the oil, sell or burn the biodegradable residue, and by tomorrow you can pull it off again. Montana State, of all places, is one of the chief researchers. 27 US companies are listed in Wikipedia as US trial producers. Of those with locations evident in the name, none are Iowan-- I recognize none of the names nationally either, but sponsors include Chevron and Bill Gates. Nine companies listed internationally -- Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, Netherlands, New Zealand , and Spain. This is new, I found about about it in Popular Mechanics a months weeks ago. Grew out of a Dept. of Energy program to produce hydrogen, ended in 1998, but they published their findings ending with "...this program should not be seen as an ending, but as a beginning." Others reading the research agreed. Reported costs in 2008 were $50 a gallon -- a meaningless number because they have not yet determined if should us open ponds, tidal bays, sewage system, or closed loop, etc.
Oh, there are 300 oil producing species of algae. What is the care and harvest of each? Which is best for what?
One might have a target of $5 in 5 years. Same idea a solar panels, too expensive right now, but the
only thing that make sense in the future. Think of NASA cost to reach earth orbit where it is now a tourist venture.