Well, it looks like gas prices are going to go up:
The House approved $18 billion in new taxes on the largest oil companies Wednesday as Democrats cited record oil prices and rising gasoline costs in a time of economic troubles.
The money collected over 10 years would provide tax breaks for wind, solar and other alternative energy sources and for energy conservation. The legislation, approved 236-182, would cost the five largest oil companies an average of $1.8 billion a year over that period, according an analysis by the House Ways and Means Committee. Those companies earned $123 billion last year.
While I certainly agree that these oil companies don't need the tax breaks that they got anymore, does anyone really believe that they are simply going to eat $1.8 billion a year for the next 10 years??
Personally, I'm wanting to get off of oil completely as quickly as we can. Electric cars can be a suitable replacement if they are well thought out like the Chevy Volt appears to be on paper.
But then, I'll get emails about how "we're just moving pollution from cars to the electrical grid", which is semi true, but there's nothing to prevent you from throwing a couple of solar panels on the roof of your house and getting enough electricity for "free" that way.
America is never going to get off of oil. We could replace every single car on the road today with electrical ones and we'd still need oil. However, that oil could come from domestic sources instead of terrorist supporting nations.
Cars still need to be lubricated, aircraft still runs on jet fuel, trucks still need to haul freight, the list goes on and on.
Until we've collectively said "Enough!", we're going to see how far oil companies can push the cost of a gallon of gas.
We are smart enough to do it. We just have to get used to a couple of ideas.
First off, electric cars do have limitations.
Secondly, you have to be willing to put up with those limitations.
Thirdly, and this one is important, you have to be willing to BUY these cars.
If you just look at it and go "ooh", without reaching for your wallet when you need a car again, auto manufacturers won't produce them. There has to be a demand.
Travis
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