Oil prices, Congress: Second look

New views on the week's top talkers

Letters edited for clarity and grammar:

Oil price upside

The dramatic drop in oil prices is great for the environment and our economy. Wild fluctuations in the price of oil will drive more people away from depending upon it.

Developers of fossil fuel infrastructure may determine that the financial risks in this type of energy are too great.

If the oil market recovers, and prices rise precipitously, consumers will want to exit this ridiculous roller coaster. The less we rely on expensive, polluting energy, the more money stays in our pockets.

Don McAdam; Sandy Springs, Ga.

Homework for Congress

Today's generation in Congress could learn much from the late Idaho Republican senator James McClure. His claim to fame on Capitol Hill was that, for 18 years, he read every word of every bill before voting on it.

Did today's members of Congress take an Evelyn Wood speed reading class to absorb the 1,603 pages of the $1 trillion spending bill to avoid a government shutdown? No. Only lobbyists and key congressional staff members have any idea of the details buried in the actual contents.

There should be a seven day minimum timeout. This would provide adequate time for members of Congress, ordinary citizens, the media and government watchdog groups to understand all of the contents of any proposed bill.

This would allow open discussion before a vote.

Larry Penner; Great Neck, N.Y.