Question

Americans should learn to live without these two imported products. But, they should not have to give up these two imported products. Justify your reasons for each statement.(8-10 sentences)

This is a sample response to help clarify the question:

The first important import that the US should be able to live without is crude oil. The US produces a large percentage of the oil it needs and only needs roughly 25% more to meet its demand. If the US can cut its usage by that last 25% or so, we would be able to be self-sufficient and not have to rely on other countries for this import. Thirty seven percent of the energy the US consumes is from petroleum, increasing the usages of natural gas and renewable sources, not only will the US benefit but also the environment will as well.

The US should be able to live without importing automobiles. I say this because motor vehicles is one of the top imports of the US at the same time as being the number three ranked export. I like the ability for a consumer to buy what they like with the amounts of cars to choose from. However, there are so many domestic cars, ranging from economy cars to large luxury vehicles. If these are such a good export, we should be able to live with not bringing in cars from other countries and look to drive American made cars.

The two products that I think Americans should not have to live without are somewhat similar. Both are beverages, but enjoyed differently. The first is real good Columbian grown coffee, sometimes it is the best part of getting out of bed in the morning! The US imports about $6.3 billion in coffee each year, which is the highest at 19%. As we tend to be labeled as work-aholics, coffee is a big player is keeping us on the go. The second import I think Americans should not have to give up is the import of beer. Beer is made with such cultural influences, and some of the best beers around are imported. I have been to Germany twice, and I will say, their beer is unmatchable. Even with the increase in craft brewing in the US, ending the importing Canadian beers, European beers and Mexican beers is just something I do not want to ever see.

Answer 1

Americans should be able to liev without imported crude oil and imported cars because:

They have access to the best minds and technolgies available on this planet to be able to come up with alternatives such as electronic vehicles that will be able to substitute crude oil. Also, as the world is facing global warming, it makes sense to switch to cleaner fuels, and other modes of transport such as public transport instead of cars which can bring down the demand for cars and save our future. Moreover, even if we don't do that, we can still increase our domestic oil production (read shale gas), as well as improve our designs of cars and ensure people no longer need to import these.

We should continue to import coffee and beer because they owe thier unique taste to the region in which they are grown/manufactured, to the climate as well as the unique manufacturing process which is hard to replicate.