The United States had 20 years to rectify this issue, to decrease the amount of oil it uses in absolute terms. Oil prices were dirt cheap not ten years ago, and instead of making oil less profitable by also decreasing the amount of oil the American economy used they increased dramatically how much oil was used to offset the lower cost of oil. Oil companies in the US last year in revenues made about $1 trillion dollars, they have a disproportionate influence in the economy and consequently in the government. In the 90s, when oil was cheap US consumption exploded...where was Clinton? The SUV boom occurred, and only now is it coming to an end.

Indeed, when oil was at all time lows in 1998-1999 the increase in US oil consumption was 3.2% (source: EIA) in 1999. While looking at a country like Germany, which has a active government in greening the economy, it has reduced oil consumption AND CO2 emissions within the context of a growing economy, and the world's most competitive economy:

Blog: http://perspectivos.blogspo t.com/

Until Americans make an effort to use resources wisely, they should just shut up, and get to the work of changing their activities and attitudes. I did my part with solar energy, and all we've heard since we built our house is grief: It's too expensive--not true. It doesn't work--not true. Solar houses are funny looking--not true. Costs more than the energy you save--not true.

The emphasis on oil and old technology is expected, after 20 years of oil/coal/nuclear industries running the country, with Clinton Republicans in the interim, but totally misguided. With new (and ancient) energy technologies in force, the oil "problem" goes away. Oil is only a problem when the public is too small-minded and selfish to consider equally good alternatives, like energy efficiency, conservation, renewable energy, buildings designed to use 80% less energy, smaller cars that are not only safe like the new Ford Kuga, six-speed manual-only--sorry piggies--with a EuroNCAP 5 star crash test rating, but as large inside as gas-guzzling SUVs.

One of the most important things that people rarely consider is living in towns where they can walk around or use good public transportation, instead of in suburban developments where they are dependent on their cars/SUVs/trucks. And help the people whose livelihood depends on living outside of towns, like farmers.