Big oil raking it in both here, abroad

A recent Associated Press report noted that the top export of this country is now fuel. Ten years ago, fuel sales were not even among our top 10 exports.

And big oil interests have been leading us to believe that we have to keep drilling for, buying and reserving more crude oil to keep up with our expanding domestic needs. Each time the price of gasoline has risen, we’ve been advised this was a reflection of a lack of adequate refineries.

The article noted that although we’re still the world’s largest importer of crude oil and although we’re using less fuel these days, the U.S. is “nowhere close to energy independence.” However, we find now that oil refineries are exporting 117 million gallons of petroleum products to other countries each day.

Experts are pointing out that the more refined fuel we sell to the rest of the world, the smaller our supply cushion at home and the higher our costs at the pump.

Now that’s a humdinger of a set-up for those in the oil business, isn’t it? The trouble is, it’s no help to the rest of us. When they already have us over the oil barrel and they continue to rake in obscene profits, it tempts one to have bad thoughts about the whole situation. We can do better for everyone concerned. Don’t you think?

FRANCIS FRELLICK Fort Wayne

High school gyms not senior citizen-friendly

My wife and I recently attended high school basketball games at Wayne and Snider high schools. We are big fans of New Haven High School and try to make all their games.

We found these two schools have no consideration for senior citizens in making it easier to getting up into the seating area. There are no handrails to hold onto and the steps are so high to climb for us seniors who have had knee and hip surgery.

These schools should look at all the adult fans in the stands and make it easier for us to get to our seats. New Haven this past summer remodeled its gymnasium with new seating, new handrails and new steps that you can climb with ease. If either of these two schools were where my grandkids went to school we guess the high school sports we like so much would no longer be a thing we would look forward to going to.

RICHARD KELLEY Fort Wayne

Professional politicians contrary to our interests

Wall Street bankers and Washington politicians have been eating out of the same cereal bowl for too long. You would be amazed at the number of executives from Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan Chase, etc. who have been appointed to government positions.

It would appear these bankers have only one true goal: putting more money in their pockets by use of corrupted Washington politicians.

It is almost impossible to distinguish among the bankers, the Federal Reserve and politicians. It appears all three lack ethics, morals and accountability.

The next time you look at your 401k, IRA retirement account or any of your investment statements you can attribute your losses to the above powerful three.

Before the next election, investigate the voting record of your representatives and what committees they have been on. This information is readily available. Make your elected representative accountable. Our forefathers never intended our elected officials to be professional politicians.

KENNETH J. FRITZ Leo-Cedarville