U.S. says all nations should open markets

[Judi Lynn]

Feb. 14, 2007, 11:39PM
U.S. says all nations should open markets
Energy security will come through mutual interests, Bodman declares

By BRETT CLANTON
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman on Wednesday called for all nations to embrace a "new paradigm of energy security" that must include open markets for energy trading and investment.

"History has shown that an unfettered market is the most effective and efficient way to determine price and allocate resources based on supply and demand," he said in a speech at the Cambridge Energy Research Associates' annual conference in Houston.

The remarks come as some energy-rich nations are moving to privatize oil and natural gas resources and were viewed as a challenge to Russia and Middle Eastern nations that are in talks about forming a cartel to oversee natural gas exports.

Yet Bodman did not issue the warning against such cartels that the Wall Street Journal had predicted and Russian officials at the conference had expected. The paper reported details of the speech before it was delivered Wednesday morning.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/4555121.html

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

1. just when you though the US couldn't have less credibility on a subject...

Bush has a horrible record on trade liberalization,

[sandnsea]

2. See Bonneville and TVA

And who built our dams? I don't know why these people continue to get away with the illusion that the free market built the infrastructure of this country.

[nealmhughes]

9. TVA has been the wishbone of the capitalist energy monopolists since 1933!

How they drool over getting the thought of the market and the dams and power plants! But guess what, you'd have a better chance finding a person who hates barbeque, biscuits, whiskey and dogs in the Tennessee Valley than someone to want to dismantle TVA!

[sandnsea]

10. Same with Bonneville

Up here in the northwest, and they are after it too, believe me.

[TheLastMohican]

3. ROFL

A big "NO" from Pootie-Poot. He believes the energy resources should belong to the country and help its people rather than US multi-nationals. Maybe therefore he is enjoying a 70+% rating?

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Is he expecting a big "Amen, Brother!" from Saudi Arabia and/or Hugo Chavez? n/t

[Robbien]

5. Just whoring for a renewal of his license to push free trade

Cheney is also out there talking up the renewal.

[Vidar]

6. Unrestricted capitalism is a monstrosity. No more oil wars!

[robcon]

7. As soon as we stop the nonsense on agriculture and lumber,

we'll have some credibility on free trade.

The EU and the U.S. are shameless when it comes to agricultural subsides, tariffs and quotas. We need true free trade in the world.

[depakid]

8. "Free" market fundamentalism

sure has done wonders for America....