An "Oily" litmus test for Presidential Candidates

I agree with your statement that economic issues is the most important in this election cycle.
For one, social issues have an inertia of their own, and no action by the government can change the social landscape overnight.

As a cultural anthropologist, I can tell you that social structures and behaviors change very little over time in spite of gross changes in economic and political structures.

Two, economic issues are immediate and personal for everyone; government action or inaction is reflected in your next week's paycheck and in the shops where you buy the necessities to keep you alive until the next paycheck. And as you pointed out quite well, action in an economic activity (plans to drill for oil) has an overnight effect in the market.

Third, a revamping of the tax system, ala the Fairtax, can have profound effects on enhancing and preserving individual liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Effecting change in things such as abortion, homosexual marriage, education, death penalty, etc. takes some time, and is not always a sure bet.

I would welcome a decision to drill in ANWR and explore other potential existing oil resources on- or off-shore. Not sure that the mere act reopening the debate would actually change the oil markets, but I suppose I could be convinced if provided with the info on how that would happen.

On the Fairtax, I guess I need to do some research on it. I think I heard Mike Huckabee interviewed a while ago, and this topic was part of the conversation. Didn't quite make sense to me, but maybe I missed something. I guess I struggled with figuring out how the Fairtax is a better idea than a Flat Tax.

At least for me, it's partly a silly matter of semantics. By calling if a Fairtax, I wind up suspicious that the whole scheme will be left up to bureaucrats to decide what's fair. Count me as not very interested in seeing the result of that.

But a Flat Tax appeals to me as a simple thing to grasp. Just cut the rate to a single level, and charge everyone the same tax rate (like somewhere between 10 and 15%). Of course, along with that I'd like to see the elimination of withholding and a requirement that tax payment date and election day coincide, but I think that's just the coffee talking as I'm finally waking up.

Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that Fletch is back, although limited perhaps.

Everyone needs to stop by his place and wish him well.