A telling difference in response to oil crises

When we had an oil embargo in the ‘70s, President Carter took some quick and aggressive measures to reduce the strain on the American public.

He ordered that all the unnecessary lights in government buildings be turned out, thermostats be lowered, the speed limit be reduced and passed an excess profits tax on oil companies.

He reasoned that since one industry was draining the money out of the pockets of the average American, then that industry was going to kick back to help out the general welfare and level the playing field.

Thirty-two years later, we are again facing an oil shortage. The aggressive steps taken by the current president, who has close ties to the oil industry: give the industry billions of dollars in tax cuts to go along with the billions it already is making due in part to the Iraq war.

KENNY RICH

West Hills