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 [ VOICES ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=375)

#  You Broke It, You Bought It: A Cup of Joe Will Not Get Us a Cheaper Gallon of Gas

October 06 2022

Written by Ken Alpern.

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THE DOCTOR IS IN - One of the first things a newly-elected President Joe Biden did was to kill the Keystone pipeline,

and subsequently his "Green New Deal" or "Build Back Better" or anti-inflation whatever bills have continued to undo one thing that he inherited from his predecessor: energy independence of this nation from outside nations who really don't care about us...or even like us.

Fracking and fossil fuels have their problems...but so does solar and wind, and so does nuclear power. Dig it or not, the only thing that allows us to have enough energy to live in a modern, civilized world is to go with fossil fuels and nuclear. And this also applies to anyone reading this, many of who scream about fossil fuels but predominantly rely on their cars to get around...and who have NO clue that they're "following the science" or even harming their fellow humanity. Even fully-electric cars are not nearly as green, fossil-fuel free, or biodegradable as we all wish they were.

Sorry to be so tough about this, and sorry to be so tough on my fellow CityWatch writers (who, like me, do this out of a volunteer, non-paid motivation) but while yours truly is a physician who works multiple jobs (YOU do the math) who can afford this sky-high-and-climbing gas/energy/utility/food cost inflation, my neighbors, nurses, front-office staff, and patients CANNOT.

The above photo is from my hybrid car's fill-up cost for what was virtually a full tank of gas, and it was taken 1-2 weeks ago. Right now, it's probably much worse. Does it piss me off?

Do my utility and grocery costs piss me off?

Do my food and other bills going up and up and up piss me off?

Yes to all, but you wanna know what REALLY pisses me off?

What this does to my middle-class neighbors, those who work at supermarkets, restaurants, and pharmacies, and especially my lower-income patients in Orange County who need their cars to work and put food on their table.

Using the [Strategic Oil Reserves ](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/29/business/energy-environment/biden-oil-prices-reserve.html)as a cheap, tawdry, and phony political stunt to "lower" gas costs prior to the November elections?

Dumb, self-destructive, and downright irresponsible...and it's not working anymore, no matter how much we dip into a reserve meant to deal with energy/infrastructure emergencies, and not political expedience.

Relying on [the Saudis](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/05/us/politics/opec-biden-saudi-arabia.html) (who were friends to President Trump as part of a Sunni coalition of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states who opposed Iran, and with Israel as a fellow ally) when America is now cozying up to Iran?

A bad idea, because OPEC is really pissed off and is reducing its oil production even after Biden went hat in hand to ask for their help.

In other words, Biden gave the middle finger to the Saudis by cozying up to Iran, and now the Saudis are returning the favor...with Iran doing the same (folks, friends, boys, and girls, IRAN IS NOT OUR FRIEND UNLESS THERE'S A REGIME CHANGE!!!).

And now the West is either directly or indirectly hurt by the likely-sabotage of the [Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/06/nord-stream-gas-leaks-suspicion-of-gross-sabotage-sweden-says.html) because we're beholden to...Putin???

Good job and way to go, Joe--right before the [November elections](https://www.aol.com/news/biden-approval-slips-40-reuters-224608933-141615461.html).

Perhaps the hatred of many towards the GOP will allow the Democrats to control Congress as they've done for the past two years...

...or maybe a Cup of Joe is just one cup too many for most Americans, and they're not looking forward for an unchecked Joe Biden because that second cup is just too awful to swallow for the next two years.

*(Kenneth S. Alpern, M.D, is a dermatologist who has served in clinics in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties, and is a proud husband and father to two cherished children and a wonderful wife. He was termed out of the Mar Vista Community Council (MVCC) twice after two stints as a Board member for 9, years and is also a Board member of the Westside Village Homeowners Association. He previously co-chaired the MVCC Outreach, Planning, and Transportation/Infrastructure Committees for 10 years. He was previously co-chair of the CD11 Transportation Advisory Committee, the grassroots Friends of the Green Line (which focused on a Green Line/LAX connection), and the nonprofit Transit Coalition His latest project is his fictional online book entitled* **The Unforgotten Tales of Middle-Earth** *and can be reached at* [*Ken.Alpern@MarVista.org*](mailto:Ken.Alpern@MarVista.org)*. The views expressed in this article are solely those of Dr. Alpern.)*

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