Users of asphalt, a byproduct of oil refining, are experiencing nation-wide shortages.  A very interesting and relevant article.

Asphalt shortage delays road repairs nationwide - Yahoo! News.

Eric’s Website

I am a great fan of NASCAR and enjoyed seeing Carl Edwards win the last race at the Texas Motor Speedway.  Edward’s was going so slow at the end that almost every car in the field passed him.  Fortunately, he had at least a lap advantage, and an eleven-second lead on the second place finisher, Jeff Gordon.

Carl Edwards won the race on fuel mileage, even though he led more laps than did anyone in the race.  Jeff Gordon, driving a Chevrolet, finished second, also by conserving fuel.  In the winner’s circle, among others, Edwards thanked the awesome fuel mileage of his Ford Fusion.  His unexpected pronouncement was music to my ears.

Recently, here in Oklahoma, gas has fallen below two dollars a gallon.  Some might think this occurrence signals an end to high energy prices forever, and a return to an earlier time when you did not have to think about conserving fuel; you had only to get into your car, put the pedal to the metal and drive.

Truth is, we have not increased our daily production of oil by even a single barrel; we only reduced our consumption, and thus our demand.  What this means is that our present lower fuel price is only a short-term anomaly.

Carl Edwards won the Texas race on a strategy of conserving fuel.  Ford and Chevrolet - two of the greatest automakers ever, and arguably the backbone of America’s economy - finished first and second by following the strategy.

Life is longer than 500 miles and we need a long-term, comprehensive plan to compete, and even survive.  My vote is to elect Carl Edwards and Jeff Gordon as President and Vice President, and have them ride to their inaugurations in a Ford and Chevy.

Eric’s Website