Letter: Let U.S. create jobs and energy sources

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 | 7:47 a.m.

The May 12 letter written by Phil Ventura, entitled "Legislation would stunt ethanol progress," hit the nail on the head. The Bush administration is in bed with Big Oil and even though it might appear that the president is encouraging the use of ethanol as a fuel additive, he actually is discouraging the development of ethanol and other alternative fuels within this country.

Mr. Ventura is correct when he says that "making it beneficial to import ethanol would only serve to make us dependent on another foreign country for our ethanol needs rather than developing our own sources."

The importing of ethanol from foreign countries would drive up the price of ethanol in this country and discourage Americans from using more ethanol instead of gasoline as their fuel of choice. President Bush is always talking about giving Americans choices, but when it is all said and done, the oil man from Texas is again doing what best benefits himself and the oil industry.

The development of various alternative fuels in this country would not only move us toward energy independence, but it also would be a boon to the economy with the creation of many new jobs. Ethanol, wind, solar and hydrogen sources of energy is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the various possibilities that could emerge with a government-backed, broad-based alternative energy program.

We need to give Americans the opportunity to "build a better mouse trap," to become the leaders in the world with new innovative alternate sources of energy. I'm so tired of reading and hearing about the outsourcing of American jobs to other countries. Let's start doing what is best for America as a whole. Let's create jobs here at home and become energy independent at the same time.

Larry Burgess, Henderson