DO YOUR PART TO LOWER OIL PRICES

[BowtieGuy]

Originally Posted by Nickdago

Also I do not really believe in a conspiracy theory amongst the oil companies although there are always those who look for them. Look, the Federal goverment for the last 30+ years has not allowed any nuclear power plants, no new refineries in America, no new real exploration for oil on and around our own lands and also have done very little as far as promoting alternative energy sources.

Well speaking from personal experience, I live in Oklahoma and go out west to my grandparents all the time. Over the past 3 years I have seen nearly ten new oil rigs from the front porch. They know where its at, they just take their time getting around to it.

[Nickdago]

From what I have heard as well there are some places where it is not price effective to drill unless the price of oil is up over $70.00 to $100.00 which is why they may also be drilling in places they may not have when oil was under $50.00

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Nickdago

Some good points however there is no reason to bring our economy to it's knees just so we can develop alternative sources of energy. In actuallity we have been working on alternative sources for decades and will continue to do so whether gas is a $2.00/gal or $5.00 gal.

Then where are the results? All the "alternative fuels" have come out of the woodwork in the last few years (as gas prices rose). Not before; they had no incentive to. They were more expensive, and why change? To be green? Please...if it costs more; people don't want it is the bottom line.

Originally Posted by Nickdago

I also do not think the people in America at this point are stupid enough to believe that even if we solve the supply issue for now concerning oil and gas that we can relax as far as our search for cheaper more abundant sources of alternative energy,. I think we got the point and understand that if we want to continue to grow and lead as a nation we are going to have to explore alternative energy sources of all kinds like we did going to the moon or building the A-bomb.

WE do. THEY do not. If gas prices went down to 2.00 a gallon, I would guarantee you that our gas consumption would skyrocket, and all this alternative fuels advancement would be stillborn. Whether it sounds nice or not; people ARE stupid -- and won't buy more expensive alternative fuels when compared to 2.00 gas. It would be a little idealist and niave to believe otherwise. If the need goes away (ie. high fuel costs), then alt. fuels will drop out of the news, and die. I guarantee it!

The ONLY hope to keep alternative fuel research going under non-pressured situations is if the media/gov't absolutely POUNDS the idea of energy independance into people's minds. Or, again; they'll forget/stop caring/etc. Even this is a weaker argument than cost, though.

Don't underestimate the power of the almighty dollar.....

[Nickdago]

Actually they have been working on alternative fuels for decades, they just have not been able to get them perfected in such a way that they are efficient and cost effective.

We have been developing wind, solar, fusion and numerous other ideas for a long time. GM has been working on engine technologies that still use gas but increase gas mileage while emitting almost no carbon. GM and others have been working on electrics for decades as well.

Even if gas were $2.00 a gallon and GM were able to actually build an electric car that really works, is within a price range that most people could afford people would be lining up for them.

And you are right, why should I pay high prices for alternatives if I can buy other sources for less money. So the key is not the goverment or media (what a surprise) but the free markets. If they build them in a cost effective and efficient manner people will come.

And if the goverment is so great then why have they not allowed the alternative sources of energy we have had for decades such as nuclear. Why have they not been allowing for the use of our own oil and natural gas resources. Why have they not allowed a refinery to be built for the last 30 years. If all our hope is in the goverment and the media then we are surely in dire straits.

[Nickdago]

Dragoneye Quote "If they feel it's their responsibilty to tell companies HOW to do buisiness (ie CAFE), then I feel it's their responsibility to HELP them do business. The whole CAFE thing is quite against Lassiez-Faire to begin with, and very stupid in concept, imo. The market shift for more efficient cars would have gotten the automakers there just as efficiently. But no. The gov't; in typical gov't fashion...gave a ridculous order; and left the body to fend for itself. THAT is what the gov't shouldn't be doing...."

So if you feel like it is wrong for the goverment to control the car companies in this way why would you suggest that the goverment control the people in a similar way? Can the people not make the right choices just like GM about what works in the free market place?