Sherry Allen – 7/6/08

This page was last updated on July 6, 2008.

Let’s take steps to be self-sufficient; Sherry Allen; Beaver County Times; July 6, 2008.

Ms. Allen wrote two previous letters I didn’t critique. One (“Conserving water for future,” 1/13/08) asked us to conserve water (primarily by not eating meat) and another (“Say ‘no’ to push polling,” 2/10/08) complained about alleged telephone “push polls” by Republicans.

Below is a detailed critique of the letter.

“I was very happy when I found a new book in our local library a few weeks ago about being green that has hundreds of ideas on how to save our planet.”

[RWC] Hmm, I didn’t know “our planet” needed saving. Am I the only one who’s noticed that no matter how much we do for the environment or to increase energy efficiency, it’s never enough and we’re always on the edge of an environmental apocalypse?

“But I was shocked when I read we’re currently using 1.3 planet’s worth of resources. America represents 5 percent of the population, but we’re using 25 percent.”

[RWC] I wish Ms. Allen had done us the courtesy of including the book’s title. It would be nice to know the ultimate source of the book’s data.

Would someone explain the relevance of “America represents 5 percent of the population, but we’re using 25 percent?” Even if this is true, the U.S. is also the most efficient energy consumer.

“While watching Senate hearings a couple of days ago, I wondered why we didn’t take Jimmy Carter’s warning more seriously 30 years ago when he installed solar panels on the White House.”

[RWC] Does Ms. Allen know that 30 years later solar panels are still not economically viable for mass use? Mr. Carter also brought us the so-called “windfall profits” tax whose ultimate result was to decrease domestic oil production. Of course, I suspect Ms. Allen would consider that to be a good thing.

“Some senators for years have been trying to pass a bill to reduce our use of oil by making heavy users pay for a permit, which would reimburse taxpayers and encourage us to find new technologies.”

[RWC] I believe Ms. Allen is talking about a “carbon tax.” In addition to reading, writing, and arithmetic, high school diplomas should require a fundamental understanding of basic economics.

“Fortunately, both major presidential candidates are for this bill, but why do we have to wait nine plus months?”

[RWC] And some people wonder why many conservatives are not exactly McCainiacs.

“I encourage you to visit our libraries or go online to learn what you can do. Thought and effort are needed to become self-sufficient.”

[RWC] I believe it’s fairly clear Ms. Allen’s primary goal is not for the U.S. “to become self-sufficient.” After all, Ms. Allen never mentioned increasing energy supply, did she?