Bits and Pieces

Biden’s Popularity Rating: popularity of sitting presidents rise and fall continuously. Rarely does it reach 100%. There is always opposition to a sitting president, much of it manufactured by political foes watching for an inroad to unseat the president and install their own candidate sooner rather than later. It is the yin and yang of American politics.

Add to this the propaganda of special interest groups – the National Rifle Association, conservative and liberal think tanks, handling of touchy subjects that have unpopular results but are not the cause or blame of any one person.

Add still the fact that American politics projects future political races and who will run and win. In Joe Biden’s case, that appears simple. Joe will not run for re-election. His presidency is one of bridging a time span from Trump’s era to whatever era will take shape soon. This is not Biden’s America. Or Kamala Harris’. Neither are likely to be in the White House after the 2024 election.

So, who is? We don’t know who will be running at this point. Both Joe and the Donald are of an age that should make them ineligible for the position. This fact alone suggests that the two predominant political parties have not done a good job on succession planning. Leaders are developed over a long period of time and experiences. What does that suggest for republicans and democrats for the presidency? There are several to choose among, but no one stands out as a true national and international leader. We need both qualities in our next president. Joe has those qualities but his age suggests we need another person to succeed him if a democrat. Republicans? Who knows. They have all been trained in being nasty and uncivil. That does not make for a popular candidate. Short term attention, maybe; but long term candidacy and effectiveness? No. Trump proved that.

Supply and Demand, Oil: a free economy is ruled by supply and demand, or so the argument goes. Of course, public opinion causes price fluctuations simply because it alters public behavior. An example of that is panic buying when the public believes something will soon be scarce. Think toilet paper buying in the early days of the pandemic. Observe gas pump prices after an announcement of a pipeline closure, or a fire/explosion at a major oil refinery complex.

Demand is affected by many things, not all of them are logical or factual.

The truth of the oil market is this: supply is plentiful, inventories are jammed packed. Oil production continues apace with usage norms. Future supply may be affected by shutting down an oil pipeline, or placing new restrictions on drilling in sensitive areas. However, the supply today is not affected unless people hoard supplies in the short term. Consumers don't hoard gasoline; our tanks hold only a limited amount. We don't have storage tanks at our homes!

What everyone needs to focus on is replacing oil energy with alternatives. Another focal point – engineering of new products to replace old ones, including vehicles that run on electricity rather than oil. Electric vehicles are becoming more numerous. Adoption of this new trend will expand velocity with broad availability of re-charging stations.

Oil as a primary energy source is on the decline. It is only a matter of time; however, do not count out oil for other uses – lubrication, chemical stocks and much more. Oil will be in the marketplace for a long time. Gasoline will remain with us for a long time to come but with declining use.

What is not necessary is panic reactions to rumors of gas shortages.

November 19, 2021

 

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