The soil of the United States has become more of a battleground than it has been for many years. It is not hand-to-hand combat, but rather a battleground for just about anything that you can think of.

A marketplace for free thinking and free flowing opinions and ideas is among the founding principles of the American way of life. These principles are some of the very reasons that so many people want to live in this country.

There are so many times that the free flow of ideas and opinions are quashed in one way or another. We are thankful that in this country, it is not by firing squads.

Still, a majority of people do not get to weigh in on things that they believe matter. This you will find across the spectrum. It is true from the national level all the way down to local governments and organizations. Climate control threats are causing strong consumer backlash. Are those who still want a gas stove for cooking being made to feel that they do not care about the environment?

Those who voice a different belief or opinion may find themselves in the “land of ostracism.” There are so many outlets for social discourse that there has become a need for regulation.

Opinion sharing is everywhere. The outlets are numerous, but include podcasts, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, television, newspapers both print and online and radio stations.

One of the ongoing battles is electric vs. gas, to put it simply. Most people believe that there is such a thing as climate change and support a quest for clean energy. However, Michael Cembalest of J. P. Morgan stated in the Market View section of Barrons, “After $6.3 trillion spent on renewable energy and $3.3 trillion spent on electricity networks since 2005, global energy use is still 80% reliant on fossil fuels. ... I remain unconvinced that starving the oil and gas industry of capital will make the transition any faster.”

This is not to say that his word is gospel, but did anybody ask you what your preference is?

The push for electric takes on a dark tone for many when we are having Tesla and its owner, Elon Musk, pushed down our throats. Musk controls the major charging networks for electric vehicles, although Tesla has said since 2021 that the company would open its networks to others. Details are sparse, although in an article in USA Today, the White House announced, “Tesla was set to open a portion of its U.S. electric charging networks to rival brands.”

The electric vehicle push has stalled for GMC and Ford. GMC is fourth in sales while Ford is second. Ford and other automakers had dropped AM radio from newer EV models. The car companies in a Wall Street Journal article said, “The motors on those vehicles have magnetic frequencies that interfere with AM radio signals. As EV motors have grown more powerful, so too has AM static….”

Ford decided to include AM stations in the 2024 models after speaking with leaders of those stations that often broadcast important safety alerts. Tesla removed AM stations from all current productions. BMW, Volkswagen, and Mazda have done likewise.

As the battle rages, Ford states that data pulled from internet connected vehicles show less than 5% are of those drivers and passengers are listening to AM stations. The 2024 Mustang is the first to be marketed without AM radio. Although some manufacturers are offering alternatives to listen to AM, the data shows that the audiences are older and tend not to be adept at the technologies that allow streaming from a smartphone into the cars audio system.

AM stations have a public service requirement via the FCC that are to be kept on file. Two of the most significant are “political time sold and given away and a quarterly list of significant programs aired related to community issues, also known as public affairs.” The battle will rage on with electric vehicles and AM stations.

As electricity is flexing its muscle with gas, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has said it is researching potential hazards from gas stoves. According to Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr., “Any option is on the table. Products that can’t be made safe can be banned.”

The energy police have lighting, washing machines, dishwashers and air conditioners under scrutiny. Regulators are much tougher on gas models than they are the electric ones that environmental activists favor.

Gas stoves, lawn mowers and leaf blowers may be headed the way of the dinosaur. You may be faced with battery-powered machines that aren’t as strong and generally more expensive. You will surely need more space to store and charge the equipment. Your electrical service may need to be upgraded to meet overnight charging demands.

Battles for our gas or electric souls are being waged. Do you know anybody who had an opportunity to voice their choice?

Elaine Harris Spearman, Esq., a Gadsden native, is an attorney and is the retired legal advisor to the comptroller of the City of St. Louis. The views reflected are her own. 

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Elaine Harris Spearman on gas vs. electric