>I agree that the best thing that could ever happen in the USA would be
>for fuel prices to increase to European levels. This would force vehicle
>manufacturers to build smaller and more
>efficient vehicles and thus we would become more independent of the
>overseas oil nations.

If we import 80% of our oil (made up number) and our cars are getting
20mpg, we are too dependent on foreign oil, which all would agree is not a
good thing.

If we force the price to $8 a gallon, and end up with tiny little Yugos to
drive around in, we will still import 80% of our oil, already agreed upon
to be a bad thing. Where is the benefit if our percentage of dependence
remains the same??

We pay less at the pump than other countries because we are the ones
funding the middle east protection racket and ours are the men dying to
keep the oil flowing. I'll be damned if I think it would be fair for us to
pay the same amount for a gallon as say, the French. How many French men
have died in the middle east? How much money have the French citizens paid
in taxes to fund a military presence in Kuwait, and to keep the oil
flowing out?

I am not picking on the French :) but the point is, we pay plenty for a
gallon of gas, its just hidden from view like our tax system. There are
many legit studies that put the cost of a gallon of gas in America into
double digits. The problem is that if the price goes to $7 a gallon, we
will still be paying through the  "back door" as well.

Sitting around wishing the price of gasoline would go through the roof
certainly seems like a self destructive attitude. If someone is so
concerned about the environment and the cost of gasoline, then go ahead
and buy an economy vehicle, but if your wishes for higher gas prices comes
true, you can kiss this list goodbye, along with the ability to pick up
and go whenever you want.

Certainly a subject with plenty of flame potential, figuratively, as well
as literally. <g>

John