We must change our oil-guzzling ways

The Gulf of Mexico oil spill is obviously a terrible incident. However, it truly is a metaphor for America and our arrogance toward energy and environmental policy, not to mention the American lifestyle. Our unquenchable thirst for cheap, dirty, limited fuel pushes our ingenuity and technology to create a disaster.

We pushed for that well to be drilled every time we filled up our unneeded SUVs. By using one-time-use plastics we said, "Drill, baby, drill." And Americans seem not to care; they just keep eating up fossil fuels in total disregard, as it works for today, but who really cares about tomorrow?

President Jimmy Carter warned us this would happen, that our profligate fuel ways would build up into something terrible, and they finally did. President Barack Obama should try to challenge the American people to reform our gas-guzzling ways, to individually sacrifice our money, work and lifestyles to create a country that is both economically and environmentally safe and a lifestyle bent on thinking of efficiency, cleanliness and appreciation for our beautiful country.

Oil is limited, but our ingenuity and drive are endless, so let's use these for the better of our society and change ourselves.

AARON MISERA
Lower Burrell