Environmentalists leave him cold

As you may know, the unemployment rate in California is now 7.7 percent. This is at recession levels. The housing and financial crises have hit us hard and aren't about to abate.

We're helping to drag the whole country into recession. At the same time, the state government is hiding a $15-billion deficit, which will only grow much larger in years to come.

Businesses are leaving for other states, and worse yet, for other countries in South America and Asia. Unemployment will likely grow worse, much worse.

How did we get this way?

Through taxation, regulation and litigation. We are, in effect. paralyzed.

What can we do about it? We have unimaginable riches just off our long coast in oil and natural gas. Aggressive development of these resources will reduce unemployment, reduce our taxes and relieve the state government deficits. It will also help reduce the more than half-trillion dollars we spend buying oil from people that don't like us.

It will bring much-needed prosperity.

Why are we not taking advantage of these resources that will bring prosperity?

Activist environmentalists have taken charge. They will impede any attempts to accomplish just about anything other than wind and solar power. Those things are well and good, but the technology won't be ready for at least another generation and the costs are currently prohibitive.

Will we have the common sense to act in our own best interests and lead the country out of recession?

I'm afraid not. Diego Cruz Newbury Park