There are a tremendous amount of great points made in what you have said Bob, and I agree with 99% of it. I have said many times that everyone has arguments but no-one has offered up any ideas for solving any of them.
I do disagree with not blaming the oil companys. If they are spending so much to stay ahead of the problems then why haven't they been pushing forward to get more refinerys up and running? Even if thier refinerys can't keep up, leaving them to have to buy overseas gasoline, does not that fuel go out through thier distribution systems? Do they not have ownerships in the oversea's plants? Why can't the NIMBY's be bypassed by using some of our national wilderness like parts of Eastern Washington or say area 51 in New Mexico? Sooner or later they will have to to keep up with the demand or let the fuel system calapse and destroy the economy thus destroying thier own companys. I feel that they know they can ride a wave right now and pump up the prices and enjoy the highest profits in thier history's, isn't that capitalism at it's finest! Meanwhile we the working minority suffer from another corperate bodyslam!

I agree that the we have to inspire our politicains to strive to take on these problems in true ernest and that the sooner the better. I agree that our heads have been in the sand too long. I have wrote my congressmen and I really don't feel, even though they answered me, that they listen or care. So, what is our alternative? Our Vote? I don't know but it is something that has to be thought about.

MHO