It's been quite a few weeks. The president rescinded the executive order prohibiting oil and gas drilling in the coastal waters of the United States. He urged Congress to rescind their resolutions, too.

I think he knew that wouldn't happen and he was correct in that regard. During the last several weeks we also learned that we are collectively driving about 3 percent fewer miles than we did a year ago.

And guess what happened after that news came out - the federal and state governments complained! They complained because now they have a shortage in tax revenue because we are doing what we have to do to save on the cost of gasoline.

Not only that, they are talking about raising the taxes so they can make all the planned repairs to infrastructure that have resulted from their decades of neglect, mismanagement and malfeasance.

We citizens are once again in the middle of a power struggle between the two political parties. When the president rescinded the drilling ban, the price of oil started to fall and the decline may have been hastened by the news that we are also driving less.

Whether the price decline is temporary or long term depends on many things - including our politicians. We're in trouble again.

The Democrats argue that lifting the drilling ban will have no immediate effect on the price of oil. Recent events seem to refute that, but it will certainly have an effect at some point in the future - and it will be beneficial to everyone if it only results in a slower, more predictable rise in energy costs instead of the precipitous run up we have experienced.

This country needs a long-term energy plan and we need it soon. It must include oil, natural gas, coal, biofuels, solar, wind, and nuclear sources of energy.

It must also provide an impetus to explore and develop alternative sources of energy that don't pollute the land, air and water during production, use, or waste disposal and storage.

This requires a systemic analysis and sound decisions based on the analysis.

Given the track record of our politicians for the last 15 years, is that realistic? Probably not. But we must make it clear that unless they start working together, many of them will be surprised in November or two years after that.

Of course, we have the rabid environmentalists to put up with when it comes to certain types of energy. These people will do anything to stop nuclear plants, oil drilling, gas exploration, and oil refineries. And the global warming alarmists are right behind them.

I read a recent piece written by an Australian scientist who is familiar with atmospheric models who claimed they are misused, misinterpreted, and often don't accurately represent what they should. His theory is that an increase in methane is more likely the cause of global warming than carbon dioxide.

He noted methane levels began to rise from the production of rice and raising cattle in China more than 5,000 years ago! I don't think Al Gore has any methane sequestration business interests, so don't expect to hear much about this from him.

A few months ago, former Sen. Phil Gramm, one of Sen. John McCain's political advisers, spoke of the country being in a mental recession instead of an actual one. His remarks earned him a quick exit from his adviser's job, but he had a valid point that has to do with the role confidence plays in the stock market, the economy, and energy prices.

Lack of confidence in the U.S. economy has caused the dollar to weaken against other currencies - foreign goods and oil cost more as a result. Lack of confidence in the economy has fueled speculation on future oil supplies, raising the price of oil.

There is no confidence the country will develop a rational, long-term energy policy; the price of oil goes up some more.

It seems nearly everything that has happened in our political world the last eight years is all about power and which party wins the presidency and controls Congress. There is nothing too outrageous to say about your opponent in order to secure an advantage. There are almost no ways the Democrats or Republicans will work together if it makes the other side look good.

I thought you had to be an adult to be elected to Congress. Maybe you should also have to act like one to stay in Congress.

Two things in closing - our politicians do not act in our interests when it comes to energy and many other issues; they act in the way that will get them elected/re-elected, or that will cause the most damage to their opponents. If John and Jane Public get something out of it, that's great, too.

And second, the government is the only agency in the country that will never have to "make do" if the revenues fall short of its forecasts. They will always pick our pockets whenever it suits them to make up the shortage.

Wouldn't it be great if we could run our corporations and households that way, too?

Well, that's what's been on my mind.