Since the first Gulf Oil Crisis in 1973 the congress has allocated in excess of 600 billion dollars a year in price supports for oil in order to keep energy costs to the consumer below the level of inflation. This is the reason why the United States, while having less than 15% of the worlds population is able to consume more oil resources than any nation on the planet, and do so for less money to the consumer than even China. These price supports have been added to the national debt each year, the balanced budget of the late 1990s did not mean we were out of debt, it was political speak for We are taking in more than we are spending. The projected pay-off for the national debt was well beyond 2020. The events of 911 have shown these same political figures that we can no longer support world leaders simply because they offer stability for their region, and our own gas tanks.

Yank My Doodle, It's a Dandy!