Oil prices are a big deal right now.  Perhaps, more immediately, gasoline prices.  I mentioned I have to pay over $4.50 for diesel fuel these days (except I don't because I pretty much stopped driving).

Americans have enjoyed a culture of driving convenience.  We can go to the grocery store, the McDonald's, the hardware store, the bookstore, the day care center, the court house, work, the video rental store, the smoothie shop, the coffee shop, and the liquor store all in one day.  Each in a separate trip.  On Saturday we drive to the theatre, the farmer's market, the coffee shop, the lawn and garden nursery, the rental place, the mountains for a picnic, and maybe the bar.  Sunday it's church, garage sales, groceries (again), and twice to the hardware store (honey-dos).

I've become vaguely disgusted with Americans.  All I hear is how much a tank of gas costs, and how much oil companies make in revenue and profit, and how somebody should do something.  Maybe that should be you.  America has always been characterized by innovative and creative people (pioneers, if you will).  People who do what has to be done to make things better.

Except for now.  We're characterized by whiners and complainers who can't run to the McDonalds for supper when their whiny, complaining kids are hungry.
Yeah, OPEC sucks.  They largely, control the supply of oil and he who controls the oil controls the universe. 

Yeah, the government sucks.  The bureaucracies add extreme overhead to oil, and jack up the price of refined products.

Yeah, the oil companies suck.  Well, not really, they capitalize. 

But what of these things will change?  Will OPEC decide they're making too much money on the oil they pump and take steps to drive down the price? Will the government take steps to ease the regulatory burden on oil production?  Are oil companies going to silently take it in the ass when their profits are taxed?

I think the most likely thing is for our government to ease the regulatory and tax burden.  And that's not very damn likely. 

So, the burden is on you, America.  It will be your job to drive fiscally.  You need to stop being lazy and complaining because you can't.  It's time for you to take the initiative and be creative about your fuel expenses.  Go for a bike ride or work on a gardening project instead of driving your brood to the pizza joint.  Read a book with your youngsters instead of driving to the movie store.  Get food once a week or once a month instead of going to the grocery store every day.  I love America and her people, but when did we get so fucking lazy and witless?

Here's the deal.  Stop being slothful fucking bastards.  You need to urge your representatives in the state and in Washington to do take steps for your economic health, but in the meantime, you need to take steps yourself.  This isn't Somebody Else's Problem.

Posted by: roggowj at 11:20 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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