This is kind of like saying "Phil Ivey is not the best poker player because he has never won the Main Event" It simply doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things

All of that stuff about "our" oil reserves is utter hogwash because it's it's irrelevant, just like reducing the deficit by cutting discretionary spending. The fact is, not only can we not produce enough oil for our needs, and more importantly we do not have the refiniries to process it! More drilling in the US is as stupid as thinking cutting NPR/Planned Parenthood/PBS is going to solve our deficit problem --which really isn't that bad in the first place.

Everything in the US is this instant gratification, short-term, fix. Drill more, cut this, blah blah blah.

Americans are pretty wasteful, last time gas prices spiked everybody made cutbacks and SUV's started to disappear. I know I'll be walking to the store once and a while now, not driving across town for food, and not taking unnecessary trips to see the in-laws

I think the best way to describe people --not just Americans-- is reactionary. The economy tanks; people start spending less. Gas goes up; people start cutting back on their driving/downsizing their car. Nobody tries to fix the problem, instead we simply react ot it.

At an individual level, what can be done?

Well, what is causing the new behavior? Is it because you want to be healthier and consume less oil, or are you simply skrimping when the price goes high, only to go back to your old ways when they fall? One is a short-term fix, the other has long-term implications --if enough people go along.

I don't buy into the fear-mongering over oil, the deficit, and so on. Nothing in my life has changed (actually I'm doing better) since the recession, and realistically if things got to the point where living in the US was no longer feasible or beneficial I would leave. Who cares what the US government owes, my kids won't be saddled with debt because it's not their debt! it's the governments. Taxes are at an all-time low, virtually everyone has Interent/Computer, big TV and can eat at Applebees/TGIF/Outback, the US is fine, just go to any mall on a weekend.

It's more because it's getting nicer outside and walking to the store with my daughter is good quality time with her. It's also pretty relaxing.

Similar story here. Recession hit and nothing really changed. I'm doing better now than before, I get a new job and became a skilled cook. So I have a secure position and payed reasonably well.

Personally, I think people live beyond their means quite often, and rising gas prices is just the last straw before their finances collapse.

It won't help... there i just said it

Gas is only $3.50-$4 a gallon???????

You're all lucky.....petrol is the equivalent of $8 a gallon here in Ireland (using the American 3.7 litres/gallon conversion)


As for what can be done.....how does attempting to seize control of another massive oil field somewhere in the Middle East sound for starters?