Large companies don’t need support

On June 28, I read a letter to the editor ('Support domestic energy companies” by Mark Havlicek) arguing for support of traditional energy companies.

Did you know that in 2008 when Exxon Mobile became the most profitable corporation in history it paid zero dollars in taxes in this country? These large companies don't need support; they already have all the money.

Economists will tell you it's small business that creates jobs. Help them. As a small-business owner myself, I can tell you for a fact that I could not be in business if it were not for the VA hospital and retired military health insurance systems.

Now, many say we shouldn't pick 'winners.” That's fine, let's do this: Give interest-free loans along with energy education to people to fit their homes with energy- efficient geothermal units, solar panels, wind turbines or whatever they want to install. Let the market decide, but let's be more energy-efficient.

I can tell you it gave me great satisfaction when, 13 years ago, the gas company changed the meter because it thought it had malfunctioned after I put geothermal in my non-insulated home, built in 1882.

Honestly, supply-side economic policies are the problem, not the solution. Let demand move the market. With large corporations leading, we will be stuck in a perpetual loop of carbon- based energy.

Dan Hollrah

Middle Amana