Congress to blame for gas prices

Regarding the article “Washington lawmakers want oil-price investigation” printed Tuesday, April 22, on A3 of the Skagit Valley Herald:

Sen. Cantwell and Rep. Inslee are correct to say that we need an investigation, but Congress should be investigated because, to a large extent, it is responsible for high gasoline prices.

Congress has repeatedly blocked oil development both offshore and on the Alaskan North Slope. Further, it has impeded refinery expansion and construction of new nuclear-electricity plants. These actions lowered the supply of gasoline and increased prices.

Meanwhile, Congress mandated and subsidized ethanol production from corn, causing increased food prices. Ethanol is a less-efficient fuel, and its production requires huge volumes of water, diminishing our nation’s critical fresh water supplies.

What is a better short term strategy? Immediately develop known oil resources both offshore and in Alaska. Shift from oil-fueled electricity generation by building more nuclear power plants. Develop improved technology for clean generation of electricity using our huge reserves of low-sulfur coal.

These measures would increase oil availability and reduce oil imports. Ninety-five percent of our recent increased trade imbalance in NAFTA is due to increased price of oil imports from Canada and Mexico.

Long-term strategy should include research to develop alternative energy resources.

This task is best left to entrepreneurs and our free enterprise system, not Congress.

So, if you abhor high gasoline prices, call your congressional representatives and demand that they stop blocking progress. Their continuation of old habits will only result in further price increases.

Don Forster
Anacortes


Forced fluoride and a police state

Legitimate government has a duty to protect its citizens. But the point where government is dictatorial and oppressive is when a significant number are harmed by its mandates. Such is fluoridation.

There is no scientific study proving fluoridation is “safe and effective” as touted by promoters. As I passed by the CH2MHILL building by the freeway recently, I recalled that its consultants did not smile during their presentation at the Skagit County commissioners’ hearing a few years ago when the hard facts of using the liquid form — the hazardous waste contaminant, fluorosilicic acid — was recommended for PUD No. 1 system.

Fluoride is ubiquitous in our food (NRC), yet the toxic-waste fluoride is diluted, especially in the United States, into drinking water, thus multiplying pollution of various chemicals in streams on its way to our dying oceans (J. Cousteau). Some of us in the ’60s were in a fluoride experiment during pregnancy expecting it to benefit the growing child in our womb. Later, it was found that fluoride did not accomplish what doctors thought it would do, so it was discontinued.

The fact that a purified grade of fluoride has been used as a drug presents a big problem! Fluoride will harm some, especially those who have chemical sensitivities, and many others over time.

When the so-called Board of Health, consisting of three Skagit County commissioners, uses its “police powers” to force artificial fluoride into drinking water for spurious purposes, we indeed have a “police state”— not a “democracy.”

Many citizens probably do not realize this fact. And so “The Great Fluoridation Experiment” continues at the expense of the essential mineral iodine, the “precautionary principle” and our freedom.

Ruth Thomas
Mount Vernon


Natural basis for homosexuality

Victor Cline asks, “Now where do students go to express the belief that homosexuality is not just an alternative lifestyle but a lifestyle contrary to their view of a healthy society?” 

The answer is simple, get them some biology books that detail the natural basis of homosexuality. Take a look at the work of Conrad Lorentz with graylag geese prior to World War II or at the immense amount of research with our hominid cousins. 

Oh yes, and stop filling their minds with mythological, righteous nonsense!

Lee Mann
Sedro-Woolley