Black Gold

"Raw, tired and torn

I see and understand

The tools of his trade

A pair of greasy hands".    

As the upcoming election for President of the United States quickly approaches, there is an issue I beg our candidates to come to the middle on......that of our energy problems.   McCain preaches "drill, drill, drill", and Obama preaches that drilling will no good.  Each of them on the extreme, opposing ends of the spectrum.   In reality, both are correct, both are wrong.

We only have around 4 to 5 percent of the world's oil supply to begin with.  It doesn't matter if we drill til we drop, that will not solve the problems for future generations.   On the other hand, we can not turn our back on the very industry that has, for over 150 years provided us with our basic requirements of life.

Where is the APPRECIATION for an industry that has allowed us to develop and live the lifestyle to which we are so accustomed and have grown dependent on?   Can we not stop for a moment to say THANK YOU to those who have given their lives so that we can stay warm when the temperatures drop in the winter?  Can we not say thank you for the convenience of getting in our car and driving to work or play?

We must acknowledge the years of effort and trillions of dollars the energy companies have put into the technology and development that has brought us cleaner and more efficient methods of the drilling and production of the precious black gold.

Having been raised in the oil and natural gas industry, I know the men and women and their families who work in it are just like you and I...  Good, hard working individuals who put in many long hours and back breakiing physical labor learned through years of training and sweat, in order to make a living and to make all of our lives more comfortable.   Take time to look around your home at the many things you take for granted that is made from or uses oil.    Thousands of lives have been lost through the growth of this industry.   I beg you the next time to walk across the room to turn on the heat, or look at the tires on your car, or drive to town, you will give thought to those who made it possible.

As with everything, there is so much more to this situation than what you see or hear or think.  Please ask your candidate to move a little to the middle for the benefit of all of us now and in the future.