SF Gate's Jon Carroll on fighting oil companies "at home"

[villager]

JON CARROLL

Tuesday, May 2, 2006


<snip>

One might say to the American people: What did you expect? You voted for a guy who made his money in the oil business. (What he did in the oil business: not so clear.) You voted for a vice president who set energy policy by having secret meetings with oil company executives. You were in favor of a war that was fought to guarantee our oil supply. You cheered when economy-stimulating tax cuts were enacted. You are now paying $3 a gallon at the pump in what Daniel Yergin has called "the permanent shortage," and you feel betrayed? This was an act between consenting adults; it's a little late for buyer's remorse.

Not that one would expect the Democrats to do much better. Our political institutions are, in the area of corporate governance, largely irrelevant. The government couldn't help even if the government wanted to help. That train left the station 30 years ago. Which does not mean that we are without hope. In fact, we are the problem. There are no large oil companies without large demand for oil, and we are doing the demanding. If you were running a business where people would apparently pay just about anything to get your product, wouldn't you keep raising your prices? If gas is a large part of your budget, make it a smaller part of your budget.

I understand that it is hard for some people to drive less. I feel sorry for traveling salesmen and landscapers and farmers. Heck, I feel sorry for all of us, one way or the other. But the pain is going to come, one way or another. We can choose to control the pain ourselves, or we can wait until it gets so bad we have to accept whatever solution is at hand. The sooner you choose, the more choices you'll have.

Four percent of the world's population; 25 per cent of the energy use -- that's us. And, maddeningly enough, the world wants to catch up. It wants big cars and bright lights and the wonders of exurban commuting. We've led the way in excess, and now we're going to lead the world in regret. And no one will feel sorry for us, because we've pillaged and invaded and belittled and overthrown and generally wiped our feet on the rest of the world. I know, I know, it wasn't you. But it's your problem anyway; it's your karma anyway.

We do understand, have always understood, that the deluded narcissists in Washington are not going to help us out. We might be able to help ourselves out. We might form communities of interest, communities of need, and figure out how to share energy expenses. Neighborhood shopping trips; neighborhood carpooling; neighborhood consciousness-raising. It's happened in race relations; it's happened in women's rights; why can't it happen in energy policy?

<snip>

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/05/02/DDGKAIHEDI1.DTL

[Demobrat]

1. Every A-hole with a Bush/Cheney or

Kick Their Ass and Take Their Gas bumpersticker should have to pay double. They asked for this. They should be HAPPY to pay for it.

[villager]

2. yes, a "W" sticker should definitely earn you a surcharge

at the pump!