The scene opens; the air is thick with toxic smog, and those few who dare to venture outside the safety of their ventilated homes sway, their lungs battered by the noxious chemicals poisoning the air. Such a scene is straight out of an apocalyptic B-movie.

Environmentalists have demonized hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’) from New York to California; one would think that the process which extracts natural gas from underground shale formations morphs water sources into toxic dumps. Yet that sentiment could not be further from the truth.

Rising oil prices, unrest in the Middle East, and a fragile economy are all worrisome subjects to many Americans. Despite President Obama’s rhetoric  about energy independence, reducing pain at the pump, and creating  American jobs, the EPA is unleashing  a host of strict, new regulations.

“Life always finds a way” is as true in today’s real world as it was in Jurassic Park. Life requires energy to exist and New York state has come to realize this. Governor Cuomo of New York is set to lift the state’s de facto ban on hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, allowing this energy industry to revitalize the state.

Californians, especially Southern Californians, love their cars, from a big Jeep a la Katy Perry’s “California Gurls” to a slick Mercedes Benz. With such a large number of auto consumers, it seems safe to say that a Californian will know what sort and what priced car is best for him. Yet the California Air Resources Board is working on a new proposal to be unveiled this September that will exhort Californians to buy electric cars. A regulatory agency with unelected members is picking which products are winners and which are losers in the state’s legendary and diverse auto marketplace.

Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, seems to be a new American energy solution, or problem, depending on one’s view. Various parties, from environmentalists to businesses are heralding natural gas as the answer to our national energy crisis. Proper fracking harvests large quantities of natural gas safely and at a reasonable cost.

Is it now criminal to operate a successful business?In the looter-world of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, it is. The modern United States has yet to declare making a profit and creating jobs illegal.

America’s wild wild west has always been home to cowboys, adventurers, hardened frontiersmen, and red-blooded, independent Americans. In the face of excessive government regulation, Texans have revived their independent streak and passed HR 2510. The bill  returns commonsense to the world of light bulbs, despite establishment opposition.

West coast cool, steady electricity, clean beaches, and Jeeps cruising down Pacific Coast Highway ; is it all just California dreamin’? The potential for reliable energy in the Golden State along with clean beaches and palm trees exists, by allowing hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, for natural gas.

   If one enjoys having a well-lit home at a reasonable price, one best run to the nearest hardware store and stock up on traditional incandescent light bulbs as if they were going out of style. Because due a 2007 decision by President George W. Bush, the common incandescent light bulb will be officially so last year in 2012. What is the government approved substitute?