"There are three kinds of people; those that make things happen, those that watch things happen and those who don't know what's happening. - American Proverb

This is sort of a follow up to my last article: Those Who Fail to Learn From History.

The most recent political polls suggest that many Americans are making up their minds as to who is making things happen, who's on the sideline watching and those that don't have a clue. Real Clear Politics did a poll of polls between March 25 and March 30 that showed President Barack Obama with an approval rating of 61.5%. Congress, on the other hand, had an approval rating of 36.5% (dated March 3 - March 22).

Quinnipac University conducted a similar poll this year but broke down Congressional approval ratings by political party with 45% saying the Democrats were doing a good job and 30% saying the Republicans were on target.

While Congressional Democrats don't fair much better, these are certainly not polls the Republicans ought to be dancing around. I was about to recommend some pole dancing places in Central Arkansas that might be worthy of a visit, but I don't know of any. (Hmmmmm, note to self: For purely research purposes, check out pole dancing places in Central Arkansas. In the meantime, I know there are some Gentlemen's Clubs listed in the Entertainment Section, you know, if you're interested in that sort of thing.) I digress.

Energy Crisis

So there I was just a buzzing all around the Internet (or, Internets if your initials are GWB) like I had all the energy in the world. I figured the best way to find all three kinds of people was to look at Congress. And I found a whole bunch of characters that fall into Category C: those who don't know what's happening. And I know that surprising revelation just knocked your dadgum socks plumb off your feet, didn't it?

For example, I found these words under the title of squiggly mark 7111. Congressional Findings:

The Congress of the United States finds that --

• the United States faces an increasing shortage of nonrenewable energy resources;
• this energy shortage and our increasing dependence on foreign energy supplies present a serious threat to the national security of the United States and to the health, safety and welfare of its citizens;
• a strong national energy program is needed to meet the present and future energy needs of the Nation consistent with overall national economic, environmental and social goals;
• responsibility for energy policy, regulation, and research, development and demonstration is fragmented in many departments and agencies and thus does not allow for the comprehensive, centralized focus necessary for effective coordination of energy supply and conservation programs; and
• formulation and implementation of a national energy program require the integration of major Federal energy functions into a single department in the executive branch.

Congress, having discovered that the health, safety and welfare of the United States was in jeopardy because of our nation's dependence on foreign oil, passed Public Law 95-91. Now America would be safer, healthier and fare better. The new law was signed August 4, 1977 by President Jimmy Carter.

According to the Energy Information Administration: by 1981 the United States was producing 10,738,700 barrels of oil per day but we were still using 16,058,000 barrels per day which meant we were still importing 5,319,300 barrels per day. Now, let's use some energy and zip through history to 2007.

In 2007, the United States produced 8,456,650 barrels per day and used 20,680,370 barrels per day. So, after thirty years of Congressional oversight, we were then importing 12,223,700 barrels per day. Things got a little better in 2008 because companies were going out of business and people were being laid off by the millions, and folks just were driving as much when gas prices hit a gadzillion dollars per gallon. Imports were only 10,924,100 barrels per day.

Bass Ackwardness of Congress

Uncle Brice, what should be done? Well, my child, it is evident that the folks we have elected to represent us are as worthless as teats on a boar hog. They've been suckling at the teat of special interest groups and, especially the oil interests, for far too long.

And that brings up another kind of person: those that watch things happen. That, my friend, is you and me. We watch. We sometimes stare in disbelief. And 99 hundred thousand times out of 10 we say, "Oh, well." I probably should have put this article in the H-n-A Awards section because, clearly, way too many of you folks have your head planted firmly.

Become a Person that Makes Things Happen

First off, if you don't vote, you're getting the exact government you deserve. Howsomeever, you're making me get that government, too! And I don't like it a bit that we don't elect people who are determined to get things done that promote the health, safety and welfare of American citizens. I'm thinking about getting me a tazer and walking the highways and bi-ways of Arkansas looking for folks who don't vote. And just zap their lazy butts right there on the spot, no questions asked.

I'm also getting a little tired of one-issue voters. I know it's their right to be stupid, and I respect their right to be stupid, but I don't have to like their stupid actions. Folks, we're in a crisis here. Oh, by the way, I sure wish I'd had my camera with me last night. I was driving up JFK in North Little Rock and passed by Starbucks at the corner of JFK and McCain. Eight SUV's were lined up in a row. Folks driving SUV's and drinking $4.00 coffee fall into that last classification, you know, the one about folks watching things happen...or, stupid: take your choice.

Take a look around you. If you use something that consumes energy, think about how you can use it less. Take a shower with someone. You might wonder how that helps with energy consumption so I'll tell you. If you are in the shower with someone, you're not watching TV or driving down the road. And I didn't say you had to use hot water so don't go saying you'd use more energy taking a shower than watching TV.

I know if I keep writing about that I'll get in trouble so let's think of other things you can do to help America. Okay, you're getting a little extra cash in your paycheck or unemployment check so why not use some of it to buy energy-saving light bulbs? What else can you do?

I'm done. That's your homework assignment. Think of what you can do to help America.

#####

Search

Today is: