Unless we can talk the environmentalists into releasing their strangle hold our entire country, as we know it today, is history.  We are just beginning to witness some of the effects these extremists have perpetrated on us.  

We must never forget that extremism is a form of insanity.  Those that practice it should be shunned, not honored.

Just my 2 cents worth!  

I came from a town in the Midwest of 950 people, but we had a grocery store, dentist, gift store, two insurance offices, car dealer, local cooperative, tax office, nursing home and most important, doctors office.  I guess I don't understand why not getting a hospital is a priority over more fast food businesses in Maricopa.  I have heath issues as well, and would be more comforting knowing there is a local hospital locally.  It would create numerous jobs and the local doctors would still be available to accomondate their patients at a local level.  Isn't there some way the city could try and recruit for a hospital?

Huh?  What does this have to do with the growth of Maricopa?  The Southern Baptist Convention and Big Oil have a strangle hold on this country if anything.

JasonY.

Higher fuel prices have everything to do with the economy of Maricopa, Arizona and our country as a whole.  How can you not  think so?

Big Oil (stockholder owned) netted about 8% profit last year.  Outside of a few highly paid big wigs, not many others made any real money and none of big oil's stocks are on anyones "buy" list that I know of.  

The high fuel prices are caused by shortages, the result of our being unable to break the grip of environmentalists determined to prevent drilling in ANWR and the resumption of off-shore drilling regardless of the effect it has on our economy.  Now that's extreme, don't you think?          

Cactus Rob,

I agree there is a shortage of oil, it is pretty much a non-renewable resource. Some say the world will be out of oil by around 2025. This country should be focused on alternate sources of energy, not drilling for more oil. The oil gets more expensive because as oil fields dry up, expensive new ones have to be setup. And the deeper you have to drill for oil, the more expensive it is with the equipment. Drilling in ANWR is only putting a little bandaid on a huge problem.

Maricopa's growth is slowed by lack of numerous adequate roads in and out of town, high retail rent, long lag time in receiving building permits, minimal existing infrastructure, etc etc.

JasonY,

I agree we should be focused on alternative sources, but the fact is, we aren't. 

Realistically, replacing fossil fuels with an alternative energy source is a huge undertaking.  If it is even possible, and I'm not convinced it is, it will take many, many years and trillions of dollars to make it happen.  

The environmentalists in Congress have got to start living in the real world .  The Saudis recently sent President Bush packing when he ask them to pump more of their oil so we wouldn't have to.  I don't blame them.  We should use our own oil.  We have 20 billion barrels under public lands alone.      

I guess we'll just agree to disagee about whether $6 to $10 per gallon gasoline will affect Maricopa's growth. 

spl002,

Won't alter the economic problems in the least.  Folks will have to cough up big bucks to buy these vehicles and it will take years of gas savings to recover their investment.  It just won't reduce our gasoline consumption enough to ease the shortage, at least not for many years.

Since the shortage won't be eased, they'll still be paying more for everything they buy because of the ever increasing freight costs (even the freight on their new car).  To my knowledge there aren't any plans to produce locomotives, trucks, aircraft, ships, etc. that run on alternative fuels. 

And, they'll continue to pay more and more for fuel oil, propane and natural gas to heat their homes and higher prices for electricity to cool their homes since most generating plants are fueled by natural gas.

Nope, I don't think the poor and middle class are going to like this idea very much once they experience it.  

The answer is the elimination of the shortage through massive drilling for new sources as quickly as possible.  Once we've eased the shortage, brought the oil prices down, and reduced transportation charges to acceptable levels, then we will be in a position pursue alternate fuels.   

We agree more than we disagree.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts and beliefs.   

I'm sure others here join me in wishing you the best.  And in the words of the Motel 6 commercial, "we'll leave the light on for you" should you ever find it possible to return.  

I think the fact that word is out on dateline saying that our home prices are low is really going to help Maricopa to grow its a great time to invest in a home here and people are seeing that and we are starting to have home sales again.  Keep your chins up with the Wal-mart and shops on Porter Rd. things are sure to improve.

If you are ill you had better plan on moving. Maricopa is not going to grow much for a few years with the economy as it is. I doubt your illness will wait. I would hate to need to get to a hospital or doctor and get stuck on 347. And when the town starts growing again 347 will just get worse. I'm sorry you are ill.