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Originally Posted by aggie99
Due to the current gas prices we have started to see a much needed shift in our thinking on consumption. GM shut down 4 of it's truck and SUV plants, has decided to discontinue the Hummer brand and shift to more fuel efficient cars. There are waiting lists for smart cars and Hybrid vehicles. The all electric Tesla (although for a niche market) never expected the demand and has a one year waiting list and they now plan to develop a lower end sedan model. Public transit use has dramtically increased. Telecommuting is growing because of the increase in the cost of flying. Sure all of these will affect certain market sectors worse than others and sadly affect american jobs and families but drilling here to marginally reduce prices and not force us into greater action is a huge mistake. Companies react to market demand and I can guarantee there is more action being taken today to resolve our oil dependence then ever before. This country thrives on a challenge, why are we so scared this time? We need a cure, not a crutch.
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All very excellent points, aggie99. I agree that these things must be done to reduce our dependency. In fact, I'm not disagreeing. I'm simply saying that, for the forseeable future, oil is here and nothing will come close to being as economically viable for EVERYBODY as the corner gas station.
THAT is why the comprehensive solution of adding to the oil supply while, simultaneously, developing and expanding new energy sources is the way to go.
I would like to comment on a few of your statements, though:
End of big cars/ramp up of smaller cars: That has to happen, and should. But as Americans, we have the freedom to choose what we want to drive. I like that.
Public transportation: This only works in big cities with huge populations. It will help a little bit, but not much. Besides, this is America, and people have the freedom to choose to drive over public transportation.
Telecommute: Only good for a very small portion of jobs. Doctors, nurses, waiters, dishwashers, cashiers -- most careers are not conducive to it. But ... every little bit helps.
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Sure all of these will affect certain market sectors worse than others and sadly affect american jobs and families but drilling here to marginally reduce prices and not force us into greater action is a huge mistake.
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Sorry, but oil is here for the foreseeable future (10-20 years easy, and probably the rest of our natural lives), and the only way to bring the price down is to increase supply. No matter how much WE reduce and conserve, China and India don't give a rat's butt -- they are in the throws of an industrial revolution, and they don't give a hoot about energy conservation or the environment. Remember, we don't live in an energy vacuum - the oil market is a WORLD market, and demand given up here will simply be taken up THERE.