Dumb ideas a'plenty

With gas prices now averaging over $4 per gallon for the first time, people are starting to look at ways to handle this. CNN recently listed 6 ideas on how to reduce the price of gas. The ways included the following:

• Suspend the gas tax
• Tax the oil companies and give the money back to consumers
• Limit oil speculation

Unfortunately, each of these attack the wrong end of the equation. By not attacking the demand side, these "solutions" only postpone the inevitable: higher prices and higher pain. People need to drive less and when the drive, drive more efficiently. Until that happens, the pain of the price at the pump will only continue to get worse. As Americans we should demand better alternatives than just the usual bring down the price, to hell with the consequences non-solutions proposed. We should start demanding better options, including higher milage cars, electric vehicles and better non-car options like subways and light rail. The choice is ours to make. Will we repeat the failures of the past or will we learn from it and create a better tomorrow for ourselves and future generations?

Cue the Whining

Well, it's finally here. According to CNN, gas prices finally hit the $4/gal average. I can't wait to hear all the SUV drivers whining as I drive by in my 40-45mpg Golf (or even better walk my them or ride by on the bus)