This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
George Pyle attacks capitalism ("American industry and the bigotry of low expectations," June 8) . He doesn't like coal mines and fossil fuel power plants. He expects engineering geeks to find a way to harness green energy to cover our electric needs. Fossil fuels provide 86 percent of our electricity. They work night and day to provide our electricity. The problem with erratic green electricity is that it can't be stored for times when there is no sun or wind.
Corporate taxes in the U.S. are 35 percent, making the U.S. the second highest corporate taxed country in the world. Because of this, a lot of U.S. corporations are relocating themselves to other parts of the world. Switzerland has a total corporate tax (local and federal) of 22 percent. Ireland at 12.5 percent. In 2000 there were 17 million manufacturing jobs in the US. In May 2013 there were 12 million. Fewer corporations, less workers, less tax money for those geeks!
Life expectancy in the U.S. is 78.6 years. In 1960 it was 69.7. Our health has improved. If we don't kill corporations and jobs with high taxes and needless executive orders, we may even see more longevity. We should not eliminate fossil fuel use until we have storage for green electricity.
George Ekdahl
Salt Lake City