I have to wonder about the thinking of all the folks who are opposed to the U.S. Government allowing drilling for oil off our coasts and in Alaska.

Apparently, one of their primary arguments for disallowing this drilling is the environment. Wouldn't it make sense, if they are really concerned about the environment, that these people would work tirelessly to halt all drilling everywhere?

Are they not concerned about the environment in other parts of the world where drilling continues, making other nations extremely wealthy and forcing us to be dependent upon their oil supplies?

I guess the environment in those parts of the world is not that important?

Apparently, another of their primary arguments for disallowing this drilling is to force Americans into fuel conservation.

If the politicians who support disallowing drilling for domestic oil are really interested in forcing Americans to conserve fuel, why haven't they introduced and passed legislation to place such high taxes on fuel that the price would have reached $9 or $10 per gallon a long time ago. If higher prices would force conservation, why have they not already raised the prices?

Why are there not nuclear power plants being constructed across America?

Why are so many government vehicles driven by government employees paid for by taxpayers large SUVs, if the government is concerned about conservation?

Until an "angry" public forces our "leaders" into action, I think nothing is going to happen, and we'll keep paying higher prices until we become "angry" enough.

Jack Rollins is the managing editor of the Daily Dunklin Democrat.