What would you do?

Address the soaring fuel costs that are crippling GA by declaring an
"Energy Emergency" in America.

1. Single Grade Auto Gasoline. Acknowledge the fact that our own
government has contributed greatly to the energy problem. Mandate
that, henceforth, there shall be but one grade of gasoline (as opposed
to the dozens mandated by State and Federal -- and sometimes local --
law) produced in America.

This would mean no more subsidized corn-based ethanol. No more
"reformulated anti-pollution grades" of gas that are only sold in
counties near big cities. Just good old unleaded regular.

2. New Oil Refineries. As part of this emergency, waive all Federal
and State laws that are effectively prohibiting the construction of new
oil refineries. Get the Army Corps of Engineers to work with the top
three oil companies, and immediately begin construction of four new
refineries, with the goal of bringing them on-line as quickly as
possible.

3. Domestic Oil Reserves. Waive all Federal and State laws prohibiting
the development of our own vast oil reserves. The needs of "We the
People" need to be placed ahead of "They the Tree Huggers" --
preferably BEFORE none of us can afford to fly. (Or drive, for that
matter.)

4. Nuclear Power. Waive all Federal and State laws that have
effectively prohibited the construction of new-technology nuclear power
plants in America for over 30 years. Mandate that fossil fuels may no
longer be used to produce electricity in America by the year 2010.

5. Open Yucca Mountain. Cut through all the frivolous litigation that
has purposefully stalled the safe storage of our nuclear waste for over
a decade. Order the immediate transport of all nuclear waste into safe
storage, preferably BEFORE one of those barrels of nasty stuff (that is
currently being stored in your neighborhood, instead of where it
belongs) rusts apart completely.

In my opinion, these five steps would help to address the soaring costs
of energy by streamlining production and reducing demand. To his
credit, Mr. Bush has been working along some of these lines...but too
timidly, I fear, to be effective.

There is a thread over on "Cherokee Chat" entitled "Where is everyone?"
It was started by some of the lucky few pilots who were still able to
partake in their weekend hamburger runs, despite avgas topping $4.00
(and $5, in some places) per gallon. They were asking why, on such a
beautiful VFR weekend, they were the only ones flying?

That is our future, my friends, if something doesn't change.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"