If Gasoline Hits 10 USD a Gallon

[Frank Lee]

The best thing the US could do for its own security would be to start an efficiency program to use less but that means legislation and control which is not what people there will accept.

The mere suggestion of such a thing brings howls of anger; it's "unamerican". Don't you know the correct course is to drill our way out of it and keep those V8 4x4s a-rollin'?

[JethroBodine]

Wasn't that long ago that a similar debate was waged about gas going up a few cents to $1 a gallon. Since the new year, gas prices have risen $.50/gallon, and not at peep. I guess we will just endure any way we can.

[Ladogaboy]

I'm curious how many people here have seen Syriana. It's an interesting movie, but it also brought up a very good point about developing infrastructure. If we don't develop our infrastructure at least to the point that we can have fossil fuels "hand the baton" to the next, viable energy source, we are going to be in a world of trouble. Yes, maybe even to the point of returning to mid-19th century lifestyles. On individual levels, I'm sure people will be able to maintain a basic quality of life (nothing like what we enjoy now), but on the governmental and corporate levels, I think global (and even national) businesses might be difficult to maintain.

If it gets to that point, then it will be "forced austerity" for sure.

[Ford Man]

I'd hate to see it more because of the low income people and the effects it would have on the economy as a whole than anything. I'm personally using less gas now than ever before. When we were living in NC I had to make two trips a day to my wife's job and back to get her to and from work accumulating about 50 miles a day. Now we live less 5 miles from the hospital she works at and my son also works there so they ride to work together only accumulating about 10 miles a day and I'm disabled so many days don't go anywhere. The majority of my driving now is going to mom's house (~40 mile round trip) and church (~60 mile round trip) a couple times a week. The actual cost of the gas I used wouldn't be that much, but the increase in the cost of living would be enormous.

[serialk11r]

I think the higher fuel efficiency standards planned are a good first step, although to discourage driving the overall cost of driving has to be similar. It's tough, because when government tries to get their hand in stuff things usually don't go so well, but I don't think economics will dictate the best use of our natural resources either (keep wasting it until it gets too expensive, but by that time we're already almost out!).

[Ladogaboy]

My personal problem with fossil fuels is that the government ALREADY has a hand in things (hence, I guess, things aren't going well). By feeding as much money into oil as they are, the government is already making the choice for us. If they stopped paying for pipelines; stopped giving up national parks and wilderness areas; and stopped encouraging the use of fossil fuels in general, then the free market would decide what the best energy source and usage would be for the average person.

[serialk11r]

Well I guess the CAFE standard increases are a good start. Should get rid of the retardedly short 6th gears that cars are coming with, add some intelligent alternator programming and stuff.

[Gealii]

if that happened i would just ride my bike alot be in great shape at the end of the summer