World in Chaos Part 2

By Michael Haley

I wrote last time of dark chaos, of the tremendous fears that are swirling around now about so many ongoing issues. But there is also the positive, light chaos that is showing itself in bits and pieces through the fears.

Any change, good or bad, requires a period of chaos during the transition. That is because any change requires destruction of something old, to make way for the new. During the in between period, when the old is being destroyed but the new has not yet taken hold, chaos ensues.

The fears are centered around the issues of global warming, the economy, and the election, along with high gas and food prices. The shock of high prices has reverberated around the world now for several weeks, and the dust is starting to settle a little bit. There is undoubtedly some truth to all theories, but it has become clear that the underlying cause is higher oil demand from the third world. The biggest single source of that demand is China.

The fact is that over the long haul, gas prices are never going to go back down again. Yes, they could dip again for a while, and probably will, but the truth is that third world demand is going to continue to grow rapidly.

That is actually a positive thing, and in the chaos we are going through, it is important to remind ourselves of the tremendous positives going on here.

One thing that means is the third world's economic growth is bringing them out of poverty and heading them into first world status. That alone is absolutely amazing and an incredible thing.

How long has most of the world been swamped in poverty with no apparent way out? We are actually seeing the true beginning of a long term process of increased wealth and the uplifting of millions and even, yes, billions of people out of poverty. That is what all the oil is being used for.

And can you imagine 200 million new upscale wine drinkers in China alone, what that will do for Napa? We won't care about $5.00 a gallon gas at that point.

A richer China will be a happier, more peaceful China. What a huge force for peace in the world they are becoming!

A second conclusion that appears to be settling in is that we have to use less foreign oil, and that to achieve both economic and environmental goals, and to provide enough energy to maintain our economy we will have to do "all of the above". We will have to develop solar, wind, all the alternative energies that we can, and we will have to drill on American soil, build nuclear power plants, and refineries. And we will have to focus on conservation. It all needs to happen, and the high prices are forcing the issue.

One thing I admire about us Americans is that we don't lay down for trouble long. We are fighters and competitors. T. Boone Pickens has started an advertising campaign for his venture on wind energy and natural gas, and whatever you think about that you have to admire his can do American attitude.

One aspect of American culture that has been a source of strength is our can do attitude, that attitude that we can and will solve our problems. We need to draw on that resource now, and it is great to see that it is starting to come out.

Regardless of what you thought of Ronald Reagan, he had that can do American spirit of hope and gave America strength to meet her challenges. Barack Obama is giving us the same kind of message, and in the chaos I can see America rallying to make a come back over all these issues.

The airwaves are filled with ideas for increasing energy supplies, and although both parties so far appear to be fumbling the ball, the sense that they are about to pick it up and get running with it is there. Out of the chaos, workable ideas will emerge and we will get going again. It's the American way, and I sure wouldn't bet against us.

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