[hueterm]

Yes, the gas prices are kicking us in the head, individually and as a nation -- but there are a LOT of things we can do to lessen the impact:

TRANSITION -- All non-transportation related energy should be moved away from oil. Whether it's solar, coal, hydro, wind, whatever.

INNOVATE -- we should be exploring and MASSIVELY investing in all of these alternative fuels. Shale and sands are now viable due to the cost per barrel, but they're not immediate. Biofuels from switchgrass (I think that's what it's called) would be a great opportunity since they can be grown in wasteland areas and not drive up food prices. Fuel cells/hydrogen, expand on hybrids (including semis), etc....These will eventually be market driven, but the gov't could expedite things w/tax incentives.

DRILL MORE OIL -- the Chinese and Mexicans are drilling all around us, but the environmentalists sue to stop our companies from drilling in the same places. The oil companies should use some of their hundreds of billions in profits and keep these menace mongers tied up in court in countersuits until they're bled dry from legal bills. Oh, and screw the caribou, and expand in Alaska.

REFINE MORE OIL -- (see "DRILL MORE OIL" re: the environmental menace mongers)

REGULATE LESS -- We can also cut gas taxes and cut these stupid regional and seasonal formulations -- this would drop the price per gallon tremendously. Even if some of the more expensive formulations had to be used in areas where they weren't necessary, the standardization would help compensate for the cost and the market would eventually adjust.

USE LESS -- I could be stepping on some toes here...nothing personal, but maybe people shouldn't drive 50 miles one way to work, and if they do -- maybe they should move or quit complaining about how much gas costs. Maybe companies should take the lead and let employees telecommute a couple of days a week. If someone wants -- then get a car that gets better mileage. Or if it's an option, take public transit part of the time. Or carpool. Expand the use of trains instead of having a semi take a full truckload of something all the way across the country. (I'm including myself here -- I drive 36000 miles/year but work 3 miles from home. I choose to drive a lot and I choose to drive 3 thirsty vehicles -- so I really don't have room to complain.)

The point is that none of these things are the one and only solution. We have to improve in every area possible, because China and India and a whole slew of third world countries are going to keep driving the demand for oil.