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To save gas, we should return to a 55-mph speed limit

With gas prices continuing to rise in step with the price of crude, I believe the time has come for everyone to do their share to bring prices down. We did it before and we can do it again. The 1973 oil embargo by the Arabs resulted in 1974's lowering of the national speed limit to 55 mph, curbing our fuel consumption by approximately 25 percent. This resulted in a reduced demand for crude, and prices fell accordingly.

Reducing our speed limit to 55 mph could be done immediately. In addition, because of the large numbers of SUVs on the road today (there were few in the '70s), we may see our consumption reduced by as much as 30 percent if not more. If we don't do this again, soon, we could be looking at $5-per-gallon gas before Christmas.

Alternative fuel sources will not be developed in time. Going to 55 mph now will give us a temporary reprieve from the pain, while alternative and more permanent solutions can be made.

Our economy is dependent on low fuel prices. If we don't do this now we can expect an increase in prices of everything we buy. We might also see an epidemic of nonpaying customer drive-offs at gas stations and/or armed robberies of gas station fuel storage tanks and gasoline storage facilities.

Be sensible about gas prices

I find it truly amazing to hear hypocrites like Sens. Chuck Schumer and Bill Nelson whining about high gas prices. They are in many ways a large part of the problem.

Gas prices are caused by crude oil prices. Crude oil prices are not set by oil companies but by world supply and demand. When crude oil costs $37 a barrel, gas costs about $1.85 a gallon. Crude oil is now around $70 a barrel so gasoline sells for about $3 a gallon. Do the math!

Politicians rant about the oil companies' "profits" but are silent on "profit margins." The oil companies' profit margin is about 9 percent - same as always.

To drop gas prices we need to cut back on some of the high gas taxes and suspend the federally mandated "specialty" gasolines. We should also make it practical for oil companies to build new refineries. We haven't built one in 20 years due to impossible regulations. Finally we need to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and parts of the gulf to drilling. More oil would lower prices.

If you want to use hybrid cars and agricultural products for fuel, fine. Perfect the technology first. Remember crude oil isn't just for gasoline, but for a multiplicity of other products. Tell the politicians to quit pondering and do something intelligent and honest for a change.

Correct our environmental mistakes

In a region that has been truly blessed by nature, Earth Day 2006 passed through the area with little fanfare.

Has urbanization, which has taken hold with a slow and steady pace since the 1960s, made us numb and forgetful about how spectacular the Tampa Bay area once was? Perhaps a simple look at pictures from the past will shake us out of our complacency. Yes, there was a time when this region was not overrun with cars, strip malls and high-rise condos on the water blocking everyone's view. There was a time when there wasn't even an air quality index that measured smog.

The change has taken nearly a half a century and we cannot, of course, return to those days. We can, however, correct these mistakes and do even more to live harmoniously with our environment. It's time for the complacency to end.

Don't let one man tarnish FDLE

I am gratified by Guy Tunnell's resignation from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Guided by his own political and personal agenda, he brought shame to a distinguished agency. I hope Florida's citizens recognize that Tunnell's actions and words are his alone and should no longer reflect on FDLE now that he is leaving the agency.

There are hundreds of dedicated FDLE members whose work does manifest the values of the agency: service, integrity, respect and quality. FDLE should be defined by them and not by Guy Tunnell.

I further hope that Tunnell's failures discourage Gov. Jeb Bush from appointing another one of his political cronies to the position of FDLE commissioner and consequently politicizing the agency's intrinsically neutral mission.

There must be respect for the law

Re: Immigration.

Several years ago the personnel manager at a local business expressed her frustration to me. She told me that several of her employees had been deported. She had tried to follow the law but was unable to find out from the INS or the Social Security Administration before she hired workers if they were legal. They had a right to privacy! These agencies would only tell her their status after she hired them (after she had already broken the law).

When laws are not enforced and actions have no consequence, laws will be broken.

Didn't we try amnesty and reform 20 years ago when Ronald Reagan was president? If we solved illegal immigration during the Reagan years, why are we having this discussion today? Amnesty didn't work and neither will reform as long as there are no consequences.

We must secure our borders and deport those who are here illegally. Only then will our laws be respected. Or we could just annex Mexico and make it the 51st state.

Laboring in the shadows

Re: FCAT.

It now appears that Florida has two groups of workers who would prefer to remain anonymous and are willing to work for low wages: illegal immigrants and FCAT scorers. Judging by corporate America's love of cheap labor, one wonders if they are not one and the same.

Put the penny out to pasture

Re: The actual price of a penny rises above the 1 cent mark, April 22.

The Times reports that it costs the U.S. Mint more than a penny to make a 1-cent piece.

Then just do away with the penny. You can't buy anything with it anyway. It's just an aggravation. The old saying: "A penny for your thoughts" is no longer used. Some merchants keep a little dish of them on the counter, just in case a customer needs one. Sometimes a customer will drop one or two in the dish to keep the kitty active.

The metal dollar used to be a silver dollar, but they're not made out of silver anymore, just as the penny used to be made of copper and the nickel made of nickel - but not anymore.

We've seen changes in our money over the years and seem to have gotten along with the changes, and I don't think retiring the penny will cause us any problems. So let's make the change and put our efforts in hanging on to the nickel.

[Last modified April 25, 2006, 01:07:12]