HUM/111
February 20, 2011
TO DRILL OR NOT TO DRILL
Throughout his presidential campaign, and since taking office in January 2009, President Barack Obama has pushed forward his agenda to free America from dependency on foreign oil. A growth of green jobs is predicted in the coming years as new technologies, such as solar power and clean coal, are pursued and expanded. Meanwhile, many people and opposing politicians believe this is an unnecessary and expensive push. They state we could just continue drilling off the Gulf Coast, Alaska, and other areas within our country that are currently not being explored. I have made the decision that President Obama choice is a much better choice because this will make the economic better in the future. Yes, it may be very expensive but in the future it will be better. After spending the money needed for accomplishing the goal to free America from dependency on foreign oil and also adding jobs I feel that we will be able to earn more money. Drilling on any land will decrease soon because of the scientists are figure out ways to use green products in every way to stop pollution in the world with things like solar power cars, solar energy lights and clean coal usage instead of using oil.
Some key habits are hindering my thinking when looking at the opposing view and defending my own are the mine-is-better habit, face saving, resistance to change, conformity, stereotyping, and self-deception can become deeply ingrained and therefore difficult to overcome. Nevertheless, they can all be overcome with desire and effort. The key to overcoming the bad habits we have been discussing is to examine my first impressions of problems and issues, particularly strong ones prompting me to take a stand immediately without examining the evidence or weighing competing arguments. By closely examining such impressions, I will often be able to determine that a particular bad habit resistance to change, for example, or stereotyping is interfering with my thinking. More specifically, I can be aware of my initial impressions of problems and issues, particularly those impressions that prompt me to take a stand immediately without examining the evidence or weighing competing views. When such feelings arise, control them instead of yielding to them, and force myself to be objective.
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