
Joe
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Excessive, sure. Can we do anything about it today; it's up to you. Aside from the government cutting taxes we are at the will of the oil companies and oil producing nations. Currently, as consumers, we can do more to reduce our use. Making sure our cars are well maintained. Changing the air filter, properly inflating tires, carpooling, and planning ahead to reduce unwarranted driving can help us all save a "little" money. The big changes will occurr when we have mass production of alterantive fuel transportation. Everyone is focusing on oil companies, which is fine, but the other side to this all is the auto industry. As early as the mid-60's there have been carburators developed that can actually achieve 50 mpg, but guess who bought the technology to keep it from consumers...oil companies..guess who sold it to them... auto industry. Look at the U.S. patent office records..who owns the patents to most of the technology? Humm? I think you'll find the answer very interesting. We need to also look at the materials used in making automobiles. 2/3 of the weight of a vehicle is for safety and structural purposes; while I'm not advocating un-safe vehicles, we need to look at the materials used...mainly steel. Steel has a terrible weight to strength aspect ratio. Things like carbon fiber are MUCH stronger when properly engineered and also MUCH lighter...visa vi, there is less energy needed to propel a vehicle = smaller engines. Smaller engines = better fuel economy.
Long story longer; there are lots of industries with their hand in our pockets. Oil, auto, steel, shipping and transport (who charge to transport vehicles by goss weight) and the list goes on.
Don't blame big oil..blame the system that has allowed them to capitalize on a natural resorce. We love growth and commerce, the foundation of the creation of our modern society, but apparently we only like it until it gets too large and uncontrollable...then the government steps in and tried to deconstruct it's success...Microsoft? |