The Real Price of Gasoline

Summary

The article argues for a reduction in oil consumption and a shift towards local, renewable resources to weaken the political and economic power of adversarial nations and to mitigate environmental damage.

Abstract

The article, titled "The Real Price of Gasoline," draws a historical parallel between current oil consumption and the WWII campaign that equated wasting gasoline with aiding Hitler. It emphasizes that the overconsumption of oil is not only an environmental disaster but also empowers political enemies like Russia and Middle Eastern countries. The author advocates for a transition to renewable energy sources, increased use of electric cars, and improved mass transportation, even if it initially costs consumers more. Additionally, the article criticizes the reliance on Chinese products, suggesting that purchasing locally produced goods can reduce carbon footprints and decrease dependence on China, ultimately strengthening the nation's economy and political stance. The author posits that "green" choices are beneficial in the long term, both environmentally and economically.

Opinions

Wasting gasoline is equivalent to supporting adversarial nations, much like aiding Hitler during WWII.
Reducing oil consumption is crucial to diminish the influence of countries like Russia and those in the Middle East.
The focus should be on using less oil rather than producing more or artificially lowering oil prices.
Electric cars should become widespread, and mass transportation should be more accessible and widely adopted.
Consumers may need to pay more for renewable resources and local goods, but this will benefit the nation's strength and wealth.
The United States' dependence on cheap products from China has contributed to its rise as a superpower and poses a threat.
"Green" choices are ultimately the most economically and politically sound decisions for the nation.

We Are All in This Together

The above picture was a WWII campaign to reduce oil consumption for the war effort. The message: wasting gasoline was equivalent to aiding Hitler.

The villain could easily have been substituted with Bin Laden 20 years ago or Putin today.

The solution to reducing the power we give the Middle East or Russia is not to produce more oil or figure out how to keep the price of oil down.

The solution is to use less oil. Current consumption is not just a disastrous environmental issue, it cripples us politically and economically to our enemies.

Efficiency is the Key

We need to explore and utilize renewable resources that we can produce locally. Electric cars need to become the exception not the rule. Mass transportation needs to be readily available and utilized in greater markets.

These kind of things need to be done even if they cost the individual consumer more. We need to stop the destruction of our environment while simultaneously taking power away from our enemies.

Buy Local

But it is not just our energy consumption that is empowering nations who are not motivated by US concerns. Our addiction to cheap, below par products from China has made the superpower rich and dangerous. Reducing the carbon footprint of the products we use can lessen our dependence on China.

Again, the consumer may end up paying more for locally produced goods but we as a nation will be stronger and wealthier in the end. The beauty of “green” choices is that, in the long run, they are not only good for the environment, but they are also best for us economically and politically.

The Real Price of Gasoline

Aiding and Abetting our Enemies

We Are All in This Together

Efficiency is the Key

Buy Local

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