The United States is the world’s largest consumer of oil, and currently imports almost 60% of its oil from foreign countries. Most of these imports come from OPEC countries, six of which are in the volatile Middle East. Currently the U.S. consumes almost 25% of the world’s oil while producing only 4%. According to Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, the energy sector in this country is strained to capacity and is facing its most serious shortages since the Arab oil embargoes and gasoline lines of the 1970’s. For forty years our energy demand has grown at a sustained rate of 2 percent annually to a current estimated usage of 18 million barrels of oil per day. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, our energy demand will be 30 percent higher by 2020.

Today, the U.S. finds itself in the position of financially supporting both itself and its enemies. This is a consequence of the U.S.’s growing dependence on oil, particularly as a transportation fuel. It is estimated today that as much as $15.00 per barrel can be attributed directly to the cost of terrorism. As the U.S. continues to purchase oil from the Middle East these economies continue to promote anti-American ideas and feelings.

NEXT