by Jeff Burke

Created on: June 30, 2008

Oil as the primary fuel for transportation has become impractical for modern civilization. It is expensive, dirty, and in the mid-east has become the major financial strength of terrorist organizations. We're running out of good reasons to continue to use gasoline. Like most issues, the general public doesn't get motivated until they feel pain in their wallets.

The most important topic in the recent pow-wow of all the big oil sheiks was a term called demand destruction. What they were saying was, "We've reached too far and we're about to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs." They were actually admitting in public was that the automobile owners of the world now have options and they could turn against using gasoline altogether. I have personally already decided to purchase an electric car as soon as possible. I don't care if they drop gasoline to 25 cents a gallon (like when I got my first car). I'm fed up with having my personal finances manipulated by people who donate millions of dollars to terrorists and dance in the streets when America is bombed.

We get what we allow. We allowed this to happen and we are the only ones who can stop it. People in the know have seen this popping of the oil bubble coming for a long time. The oil executives are not puzzled by the mysterious phenomena of the lack of new oil refineries being built. The few remaining aging refineries are not being quickly replaced because the overall fuel markets are getting ready for a major shift.

The present move to drill more oil wells can only bring a temporary solution. I'm all for it, but it's a moot point. Only a major break from our dependence on oil can bring permanent change. Why would we want to fix the oil problem if it pollutes the environment and promotes terrorism? We need to eliminate the oil problem rather than try to fix it. I've traveled through China, and their pollution has skyrocketed as the number of automobiles has increased.

In the next ten years, the flex fuel and hybrid cars will give way to totally electric cars. It has to happen because its one of the few things that will make conservatives and liberals both happy. Conservatives will see it as a plus for national security and a strike against terrorism. Liberals will see it as a move to a cleaner environment and a victory over global warming. Both will be right. Electric cars that can recharge with a simple plug in will be the biggest win-win of modern history.

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