My point is, the "nut-cases" are going to profit from our INCREASED CONSUMPTION, because we can't possibly cover it with domestic supplies. Drill away! i'm not opposed! let's just be realistic!! it won't make a large dent, unless coupled with other, more forwar-thinking measures
moreover, NOT drilling is simply NOT the direct equivalent of sending beaucoup millions to the Saudis, because they're going to get those millions anyway, considering our ever-growing energy consumption. the amount we send them is on the increase, because so is our consumption level. so add in a pithy 1 million barrels to the deficit and yeah, we save some, but we are still going to be in a growing hole as time elapses. it's a quick "fix" that won't cut the amount we send to the Middle East over time, because that amount DOES NOT REMAIN FIXED over time. our consumption is on a steady increase, and domestic production is on a steady decrease. Domestic production including ANWR gets us back to mid-eighties levels of production, but that DOESNT factor in the much higher level of energy that we need in this day and age.