It is a common tactic by contrary forces to civilized society to inculcate into culture things that run askew from the morals of the society. From the repeal of prohibition, to legalized prostitution (however limited in scope), to penalties for those who refuse to buy health insurance (unless you're an illegal alien), to teaching the Theory of Evolution as if it were fact, to integration of gays in the military, they have a long tradition of upsetting the many to assuage the desires of a vociferous and pesky few.
Today, they run an article that says high gas prices "won't be so bad". They are trying to get you used to the idea. I don't know about you, but I have very few options to cut consumption aside from dispensing with my car. I get 36-41mpg, and it's paid for in full, and I moved closer to work to cut down on my commute. The only way I can cut consumption is get rid of this car and either 1. incur lots of debt for a 'hybrid' or 2. use public transportation, which isn't convenient or comfortable. Companies have also already done much of what they can to cut their costs. Wal-Mart, for example in 2006, stopped sending dedicated trailers to stores and started combining trips per tractor trailer to save mileage and gasoline consumption per day. Eventually, they will have to pass the increased costs on to you in the form of higher prices for every commodity you buy, which will negate the savings any hybrid offers.
The tactics are simple. They get us to endure it by forcing by fiat that we put up with something in our lives. Then eventually, they play upon our sensibilities and religious natures (even when doctrinally those things run contrary to our beliefs) until we pity those hurt by our 'judgmental' way of life. Eventually, we are either forced or convinced to embrace it, and in some cases to join into it and become a part. For years, they have had us endure the prices. For years, they have had us pity the creatures hurt by oil, greenhouse gases, and the like. Now, they want us to embrace $3.50/gallon as the new normal. When I started driving, gas was $0.87/gallon. When I went to college, it was $1.66/gallon. This morning, the station from which I usually buy it posted $3.11/gallon. Where does it end?
Face the facts. If we wean ourselves off of oil, we subject ourselves to the mercy of nations like China who do not hold themselves to that kind of sensitive concern for anything or anyone beyond their own ambitions. Defending ourselves with solar or wind-powered tanks, on bicycles or on foot against the Chinese who have potentially developed stealth technology will be as futile as it would be for the Assyrian Empire to resist the Wehrmacht. This is all predicated on the notion that one day we won't need oil. That day is not today.
Yesterday, a friend of mine came to a crossroads. Many people advised her. She called and asked me. I told her to make a decision based on what will work best for her today. The past is gone, and it cannot be changed. The future is uncertain and hasn't been written yet. We need to learn to live in the present and act in the present. Although we plan for the future, today is our day, and today we need and want certain things, however much we may wish there were alternatives.
Today, they run an article that says high gas prices "won't be so bad". They are trying to get you used to the idea. I don't know about you, but I have very few options to cut consumption aside from dispensing with my car. I get 36-41mpg, and it's paid for in full, and I moved closer to work to cut down on my commute. The only way I can cut consumption is get rid of this car and either 1. incur lots of debt for a 'hybrid' or 2. use public transportation, which isn't convenient or comfortable. Companies have also already done much of what they can to cut their costs. Wal-Mart, for example in 2006, stopped sending dedicated trailers to stores and started combining trips per tractor trailer to save mileage and gasoline consumption per day. Eventually, they will have to pass the increased costs on to you in the form of higher prices for every commodity you buy, which will negate the savings any hybrid offers.
The tactics are simple. They get us to endure it by forcing by fiat that we put up with something in our lives. Then eventually, they play upon our sensibilities and religious natures (even when doctrinally those things run contrary to our beliefs) until we pity those hurt by our 'judgmental' way of life. Eventually, we are either forced or convinced to embrace it, and in some cases to join into it and become a part. For years, they have had us endure the prices. For years, they have had us pity the creatures hurt by oil, greenhouse gases, and the like. Now, they want us to embrace $3.50/gallon as the new normal. When I started driving, gas was $0.87/gallon. When I went to college, it was $1.66/gallon. This morning, the station from which I usually buy it posted $3.11/gallon. Where does it end?
Face the facts. If we wean ourselves off of oil, we subject ourselves to the mercy of nations like China who do not hold themselves to that kind of sensitive concern for anything or anyone beyond their own ambitions. Defending ourselves with solar or wind-powered tanks, on bicycles or on foot against the Chinese who have potentially developed stealth technology will be as futile as it would be for the Assyrian Empire to resist the Wehrmacht. This is all predicated on the notion that one day we won't need oil. That day is not today.
Yesterday, a friend of mine came to a crossroads. Many people advised her. She called and asked me. I told her to make a decision based on what will work best for her today. The past is gone, and it cannot be changed. The future is uncertain and hasn't been written yet. We need to learn to live in the present and act in the present. Although we plan for the future, today is our day, and today we need and want certain things, however much we may wish there were alternatives.
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