Sequestration - good, bad, or indifferent?

[BaltimoreSkins]

For your first question I would guess it is to provide gasoline, petrochemicals and plastics affordable to everyone. The law for leasing mining and drilling rights on public land dates back to the 1890s and was never adjusted until the 1990s. I too would guess that it is to keep oil competitive. In 2006 it costs $2 to produce a barrel of oil in Saudi Arabia and it cost between $30 and $45 in Canada/Alaska. Regardless with prices at $90 per a barrel someone is making a huge profit, but not subsidizing it would make it less profitable and costs American jobs.