Originally Posted By: Autobahn88
Originally Posted By: grampi
The problem with our high (and going even higher) energy prices of today began with the oil embargo of 1973. If our governemental leaders would've developed a long term, comprehensive energy plan back then, we would be energy independant by now, and we would have plenty of clean, renewable, and affordable energy. Instead, they, and every governmental leader we've had since then has does absolutely nothing to secure our energy future. Instead of having plenty of nuclear plants throughout the country, instead of homes and businesses being built with solar and wind power, instead of vehicles that get 100 MPG, or being completely powered by something other than fossil fuels, we're stuck using almost entirely the same energy sources and technologies we relied on 40 years ago. Now we're at the mercy of the rest of the world, and we are forced to compete in the world market for everything. Since the USA enjoys the best standard of living than the rest of the world (which is quickly going away), having to rely completely on the world market leaves our standard of living only one way to go...down.
Now, realizing fossil fuels are being depleted by an ever increasing world demand, researchers are trying to develop alternatives. However, they're finding out that this isn't an overnight endevor. Alternatives are expensive, and it's going to take time to develop them to the point they're competitively priced with fossil fuels. Had they started pursuing them aggressively back in '73 we'd have them by now. They didn't, and now the question is; can they be developed before it's too late? This country can't afford $5 gas. You saw what $4 gas did to the economy in '08 (I know it wasn't just gas prices that wrecked the economy, but they certainly were a big contributor). Our economy is barely above the depression level now, what do you think $5 gas is going to do to it? You think the oil companies give a rat's --- what energy prices do to the economy? They couldn't care less. They won't be happy until they squeezed every last penny from every economy on the planet. We as a nation need to produce as much OF OUR OWN energy, from every source, as we possibly can. We need to get away from relying on other countries to provide our energy sources, and we need to be more removed from the world market and be more concrned about taking care of business here at home. If we don't, this will soon be nothing more than a 3rd world country...
I am sorry, but, gas prices did not ruin the economy. They had nothing to do with the collapse of the economy. The only reason gas prices went down over the last year and a half was because demand for oil was low. Now that demand is picking up again prices are rising. Pretty easy concept if you think about it.
Wrong. Gas prices may not have been the main reason, but they were most certainly a big contributor. Prices of everything rose sharply during the period of $4 gas. Demand decreased because the prices of literally everything were so high, consumers had to cut back on everything. It won't be any different this time around. If you don't think high energy prices have a huge impact on the economy, watch and see what happens to our economy as prices rise this time around...
