If there is such a big problem with oil. and we are doom to run out soon and economy is going to head into repression Then why doesnt the govt enforce gas stations to stop selling gas and start selling alternative oils? why doesnt the govt recall cars that havent been sold yet and  enforce car companies to start producing cars that accept these alternative oils.
131107
What do you think E-85 is.
313689
People already complain enough about the trade balance and then we want to forbid exports?\n\nThe number of barrels exported is pretty miniscule compared to the daily usage.  They could just hedge with futures contracts and stop producing the oil if there was a law against exports.  The net would a real shortage including the ever popular gas lines.  It wouldn't affect actual prices that much.\n\nIf you look at the actual data, last week, we imported 9.8 million barrels of crude oil and exported 22 thousand barrels.  That's not a very strong case that exports affect oil prices at all.  We do export petroleum products, such as plastics and other such things because it's sensible to export the excess, especially if you get a better price for it.
633986
Actually, the government really ISN'T the problem in this case. Nor is it the Auto Industry, or even Big Oil. The problem here is the consumer. Us. The vast majority of us want big cars that go fast, lots of lights in out huge homes, and to throw away everything and buy new things. Most people don't really care that this lifestyle cannot be sustained. They just want that 68" TV. Until the consumers change, nothing else will.
145152
PRICE GOUGING IS AGAINST THE LAW\nBUT OIL PEOPLE ARE GETTIN FATTER AND WE AS SHEEP GO ON FOLLOWING\nKEY WORD=PETITION AGAINST IT/ MAKE DEMOCRACY WORK
253823
i wouldn't expect anyone in the oil business to do anything to change the industry (although bush HAS passed a law stating that government vehicles must be equipped to use ethanol as an alternate fuel). it is really up to americans to change what they use, because the oil industry is entrenched and will not check themselves -- business just doesn't work that way. republicans hate to have government make the people do anything, so the likelihood of us passing laws such as those in Brazil are slim to none. I am personally just going to buy a flex car and run it on ethanol. No more petroleum fuel for me. E85 is produced without the use of petro-products, is home-grown, and is cleaner and better for the car anyway and the same price and soon to be less.
635895
The government doesn't have to validate gas prices.\n\nThe american people (i'm one!) just accept what those in power do to them while watching American Idol and Survivor.\n\nSuch is the circus...
130255
It is too bad that they have not been developed to their capacity. It is a concept whose time has come. Nuclear energy should be another alternative to fossil fuels, however too many crazies block that. But we need to cut our independence to oil so that the oil company's do no have such a death grip on us.
215861
I think that most Americans have stopped buying "unnecessary" fuel, but they are making more than enough money back off of just the necessary fuel (fuel that is needed for daily life, not all of us can walk to work/carpool)... if you have to have it, you have to have it... cuting consumption further isn't an option for most...\n\nSo what happens when capitiolism fails... seems like we are reaching that point with oil... increasing costs could have a crippling effect on our economy through inflation (especially if costs continue to go up)... is it worth it?\n\nThe reserves should have been released a while back... that's just silly, but that's also a Bush...
163893
your observation of current conditions go far beyond the political structure that our world suffers from Today.In brief, the answer to the first part of your question is 'Its already too late!" Our Environment is in total upheaval due to the persistent use of FOSSIL FUEL!! Global Warming is UPON us as we sleep, eat and make war....for the very product that will terminate Life as we know it...First of all,once the concept of Greed is comprehended ...We as a race might have a chance to not become exstinct. As it stands now, it doesnt look very good. Understanding the free worlds economy and realizing that it is controlled by the Petro Dollar.and the handful of people that own the Companies that produce Petroleum.Failure to keep the Petro Dollar afloat WILL and WOULD collapse the free world economy,  THIS is the POLITICAL Machine that decides whose Son or Daughter should be sacrificed to maintain a "Freedom" to breath foul air and watch our Planet slowly Die; Being ravaged by Hurricanes,Tornadoes,and Floods caused by the melting of our Polar caps.Once the Salinity content of our oceans deviate much more or the temperature should fluxuate (I believe its 4 Degrees Celsius) disrupting the food chain, we as a race of people should be issued a shovel the next time we fill our gas tanks ....so we can start digging our own graves....We are on the Precipice, and it IS serious,....but we as a people have a tendency to not want to hear this until its knocking at our door...I pray that we as a society will take note and a STAND and commit...your children and your grandchildren have the RIGHT to live in a world free of Toxic Gases we call 'AIR' that is generated by the handful of Petrol Sharks that keep us stuck from utilizing the technology that ALREADY exist to burn clean fuel  ...Sundancer
311765
They wouldn't be able to afford cars and gas in their country, so once they're here they'll have cars and add to the demand on gas. \n\nThe gas will keep going higher and higher. There's no end in sight to the gas problem, but yes based upon supply and demand, this problem can increase the demand even more.
124736
This country needs to start becoming more self sufficient when it comes to oil supplies.  We have vast oil reserves both in Anwar and other places in the USA.  Sooner or later we must lose our dependency on fossil fuels completely but until then we at least need to end our dependency our foreign oil.  We stopped drilling during the 70s because of concerns with the environment.  Our technology has advanced enough now that I am sure we could drill and refine oil with out destroying our country.
165249
They'll just keep putting the prices up because they know that companies and individuals have no option but to pay.  It's what's heppened here in the UK where gas is now more than $7.50 a gallon and demand is still rising.\n\nThere won't be fuel rationing unless there's an actual shortage of fuel and that doesn't seem likely.\n\nI can only speak for the UK when I say that there has been fuel rationing - during the war and during the oil crisis of the early 1970's.
272274
Won't work, the refinery that sell to the big boys also sell to the mom and pop store.\n\nThe key is to get more fuel effecient vehicles or ones that run on fuels other than gasoline.  We already have natural gas vehicle and hybird gas / electric cars which is probable the way to go.
125349
no gas prices should go higher!!\n\nthen maybe fat a**es will stop driving their big fat SUV's, take a bus\nand other technologies will be developed\n\nthe gov't did not create the "gas problem" people being lazy did
311019
We are importing about half of what we use now. If you would like to choose which half of our nation cannot use oil, then we could quit importing.\n\nIt isn't a matter of how much oil is in the ground. We can't produce it fast enough, or refine it fast enough to more than marginally outpace demand.
21932
No, you are not the only one.  I thought that it was horrible that our government would allow that to happen. Perhaps because of the stake Bush has in oil...?\nTaking advantage of a national crisis like that is disgusting to me, and completely morally wrong.  But who is to blame? I say the government- they need to monitor and control gas prices better.\n\nIn response to the other answer, bottled water is an option for people.  People do not need bottled water to get to and from their jobs so that they can make money to feed their families.
667459
So far, there's not enough demand to warrent the extra cost of developing alternative energy sources.  In order to stop using oil (for power) we will need to find cheaper ways of getting alternative energy or become much more motivated to do so.