My letter to the NY Times re: The Unnecessary Drive for Energy Independence

From: patrickbarron@msn.com
To: letters@nytimes.com
Subject: The Unnecessary Drive for Energy Independence
Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2012 18:59:10 -0400

Re: U.S. Inches Toward Goal of Energy Independence
Dear Sirs:
The fact that the U.S. is producing more energy of many kinds--oil, natural gas, etc.--should be of academic interest only. Seeking autarky in energy should not be a public policy. Like any other economic good, energy should be obtained from those who possess a comparative advantage in the marketplace. Furthermore, it is assumed that the world will be a more peaceful place should the U.S. achieve this goal, which, as your authors state, was first articulated by President Richard Nixon. However, the historical evidence fails to support the contention that autarkic states are more peaceful. Quite the contrary, as is evident from Nazi Germany to Communist North Korea. Cooperative nations engage in trade for the betterment of all parties involved. Autarkic nations are belligerent nations, forever seeking to control politically via war what they refuse to buy in honest and peaceful trade.

Patrick Barron