LaSalle Insider

The cause of the rising price of gasoline is a never ending debate.  Some say that its due to governmental regulations which limit the amount we can drill for here at home.  Latest statistics show we import 51% of our oil in this Country.  Does that mean if we have more domestic production the price of oil will drop?  We currently produce about 7% of the world supply of oil so if we increase production or supply of domestic oil will it really have that big of an effect on the price world wide?  I have read that for every $10.00 increase in cost per barrel of oil the gasoline price increases about .25 a gallon. Depending on which political party you side with it seems that there is no clear answer.  The democrats say increased production and fewer regulations will not lower gas prices significantly.  Instead they say we must become more efficient with better sources of energy besides oil.  They cling to wind, solar, and electric as sources we need to perfect in order to reduce our out of pocket expenses for energy.  Republicans believe that opening up more domestic markets will bring the price of fuel down and other energy costs as well.  Taking many of the EPA regulations off the books will also have a positive impact.  What are we to believe?

When these types of questions come up it usually helps to use some common sense and past history as a basis for actions.  Back during the Carter years and oil embargoes the  price was about .36  a gallon and was difficult to get.  This may seem cheap but by  comparison new homes were $26,600 and the price of a stamp was .o6.  Using this information one would feel that an increase in domestic production should lower gasoline prices.  However we as a country are currently EXPORTERS of gasoline.  It seems the bad economy along with efforts to conserve gasoline have made many refineries sell to other countries  where demand is bigger and larger prices can be had.  (China and India are examples).  So what now?  Well there is evidence that increase production still will bring down the price.  In our country we are experiencing a dramatic drop in natural gas prices due to increased supply.  This supply jump is due to new and more efficient ways (read more profitable) to mine natural gas here at home.  At to the fact that when wheat prices drop from good growing years we see a decrease in the price of bread. Remember the driving issue for any company is profits and margin.  If we can create a gasoline market here at home where profit margins meet or exceed those created by selling to  other countries then we will see prices drop  at the pump.  Remember its profits that drive businesses.

Common sense would then indicate that increased supply domestically along  with less regulations on U.S. oil companies (which cost money and decrease profits) along with lower taxes on same would drive prices down while maintaining or increasing profits to producers. Remember that this increase also helps many of your 401K’s and pensions that invest in Oil companies.  Increase drilling also creates more jobs at home which helps the economy and will replace those taxes lost by lowering corporate rates.  And by lowering the cost of fuel you decrease shipping costs on all goods within the Country and thereby lower the costs of these goods to the consumer.

Its just common sense……maybe we need more of it!

Ever since President Hoover uttered the words “a chicken in every pot” America has used this barnyard animal as a symbol of prosperity.  It now looks like our LaSalle  Council wants to change that perception.  When did this group become anti-chicken?  Apparently one of our alderman got a complaint about  a neighbor in his Ward raising chickens and has started the ball rolling to ban them in our “urban” setting. Time Out! Lets examine this before we move to fast!!!!

First, unlike unruly dogs, chickens don’t bark all night long…they cluck.  Not nearly as upsetting to one trying to sleep.  To my knowledge there has never been a loose chicken that has attacked a mailman or a jogger.  Can’t say the same about those freedom loving dogs off the leash.  Chickens don’t stay up all night and sit on fences screeching like those alley cats looking for action!

Lets also remember that chickens will provide food in the form of eggs unlike most other domestic pets who continually just eat food and provide nothing in return!  A good hen can produce an egg a day!  That’s return on investment !

And if ,God forbid, your chicken gets hit by a vehicle and dies at least you have dinner for that night.  Can’t say that about Fido or  Mr. Whiskers  if they meet their maker!

I don’t know anyone in the Illinois Valley that doesn’t love fried chicken.  Our area is known for it.  If the City Council bans raising them here in town its only going to raise the price of this tasty menu item locally.  Its a simple economic case of supply and demand…less supply equals higher prices!  Nobody wants that.

Chickens have always been held in high regard.  I remember when I was young and single every male wanted to go to the bars where the “chicks” hung out.  We  tried to avoid anyplace where an abundance of “dogs ” were known to party!

This potential ban is an assault on our American way of life……

I think the answer for all of us who love  the chicken is  to attend the next Council meeting and “Occupy City Hall”.  Once there when the time is right we , in unison, will “flip them the bird!”  That will get our message across that” we defend our feathered friends!”….sounds like a good idea for a bumper sticker too.

See You There!!!!

I’ll bet at one time or another we all have done something less than brilliant just to try and impress someone or get some personal attention.  I’ll also guess that those of us who did, did it during our high school years.  I can recall a night during Christmas break where I ended up getting stitches over one eye from getting too close to a counter stool at the Igloo on my way to the floor.  Everything worked out ok and I learned a life lesson that night.  But even in my stupidity I knew better than to put anyone else in harm’s way.   Some have commented on social media sites that maybe we should feel compassion for the young idiot(s) who started this blaze on New Year’s eve at Westclox.  They point out the errors we make as young adults and we should be judged by different standards during the growing up stage.  I am trying to understand this sentiment but I am having a very difficult time at it.  What these two did is far greater than just a stunt for attention.  I cannot accept the fact that they did not know what the end result of their actions would be.  They had to realize that many people would have their lives effected by the actions they took in a few minutes on a holiday evening.  One fireman was injured and many more could have been had things gone badly that evening or if these idiots had gotten caught  in their own fire and needed to be rescued.  Property damage has yet to be tabulated and the cost to the tax payers will be substantial based on the water used and the number of hours fireman have been on the scene.  Nearby businesses could not open and have suffered smoke damage as well as financial loss of sales activity.  Even the schools nearby closed early or all day  a few times this past week.    This was not about getting attention, this was a criminal act  and the appropriate punishment must be doled out to these felons.  I don’t know the families involved so I won’t comment on what type of home they came from.  I can say that if they are found guilty they need to pay the price for their actions.  They have made the decision to throw away a portion of their lives by spending time in prison.  At least their actions did not take anyone else’s life.