NOTE: subsidy is defined by Merriam-Webster as: a grant [free money given] by a government to a private person or company to assist an enterprise deemed advantageous to the public

1. a) List the facts that John Stossel provides in his article. (scroll down for the answer)
b) Which of these did you not know? Which is most surprising to you? Why?

2. What is the main idea of Mr. Stossel's commentary?

3. In an attempt to persuade Americans that the government should subsidize (give money to) his wind farm projects, T. Boone Pickens runs an ad which says "We can unleash wind power to free up America's natural gas to power our [vehicles]. We can save billions."
Mr. Stossel says, "But if we can save billions by using wind and natural gas, why do Boone Pickens, Vice President Gore and today's Congress need our tax dollars? If there is a good alternative to oil, it won't need subsidies. The free market will simply make it appear. Let the entrepreneurs compete."

a) Do you agree with Mr. Stossel's assertion? Explain your answer.
b) Ask a parent to answer the same question.

ANSWER TO QUESTION #1a:

• When Nixon was president, we imported 25 percent of our oil. (from para. 8)
• Today we import nearly 70 percent of our oil. (from para. 8)
• While Saudi Arabia and Iran are oil exporters, they are gasoline importers. (from para. 10)
• Our biggest foreign oil suppliers are Canada and Mexico. (from para. 11)
• All the world's oil ends up in the same [place]. The dictator sells to someone who sells to someone who will then sell to us. (para. 12)