Obama's Keystone pipeline decision is major blunder

To the Editor:

President Obama's decision to delay the Canada-to-Texas Keystone XL oil pipeline is a major blunder.

The Iranians are threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz through which 20 percent of the world's oil supply passes. This is already raising our fuel prices.

The Keystone pipeline would allow us a secure supply of oil from friendly Canada. If Obama continues to delay, the Canadians have said they will direct the pipeline to their west coast and will export the oil, much of it going to China.

The Keystone pipeline will not require any government funding and will be a great economic benefit to the U.S.

Fourteen percent of construction workers are not employed; the pipeline would put many to work. Through the pipeline, at least 20,000 good paying jobs would be directly created in America.

The pipeline would carry 500,000 gallons of crude oil daily for consumption in the U.S.

The pipeline is supported by virtually all Republicans as well as many moderate Democrats and labor unions.

We should demand that the Keystone pipeline be started now!

The Obama administration's delay in starting this is one of the many reasons President Obama should not be re-elected.

Edward Ragsdale, M.D.
Alton