by Barbra Henry

Created on: May 31, 2008   Last Updated: October 27, 2008

Why blame the oil companies? After all, the oil companies are not the blame for infrastructure failures of America. Another reality Americans may not care to hear running rampant among our citizens is a mentality of bigger is better.

Parked in a large number of American driveways are three to four vehicles, one for every family member. We live in sprawling suburbs with three car garages, and nine times out of ten, the three gas-guzzling vehicles (consisting of pick-up trucks and SUVs) are an unnecessary convenience. What we call a garage designed to house automobiles is now filled to the ceiling with useless junk. Sometimes, we must drive five miles just to pick up a gallon of milk while navigating a maze of housing complexes, driving non-essential SUVs (no markets within walking distance in a massive composite of structures, we call homes) - Go Figure!

While builders and developers continue building huge and obnoxious housing and office compounds keeping us more and more dependent on the last remaining oil reserves, and all without any consideration for conservation of energy, and the human condition, of any kind. Let me be clear, I do not blame the builders and developers; they base their decisions on supply and demand. Americans want it because gas and oil is cheap; why not drive to the market for a gallon of milk when there seems to be a limitless and cheap supply of oil and gas.

The nuclear family of today, on average, comprised of three, lives in structures entirely too large for this size family (it is absurd)! What is wrong with this picture? How are we going to heat these huge structures when the oil runs out - wood? How long would this "natural resource" last, think again?

The timing is right for Americans to get a very hefty and prickly wake up call. From the looks of our current economic situation and newfound spending habits, the high price of gas and oil was just the "stimulus package" needed to begin a major overhaul of American infrastructure, and redefine America's relationships with the rest of whom we share residency on planet earth. I say, "Hooray for higher gas prices, it's about time we joined the rest of the human race"!

The American people created their own nemesis by this tenacious feeding of the ego without forethought of the human condition and quality of life (just big) - this is a sad truth. Bigger is better mentality. Look around! We allow builders to bulldoze entire orchards on a daily basis to make way for our insatiable desire for

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