Reply #28: And Your Quick and Ready Solution Is. . .?

[dpibel]

Are you confusing the messenger with the message?

Observing that something will happen is quite different from causing it to happen. It seems as if you think that, as long as people don't discuss $3/gal. gas, it won't happen. It will happen whether we talk about it or not. It will happen whether or not there is political fallout for the Fierce Warrior Chieftain.

Sure, not everybody can afford a Prius. But if you can afford a Ford F250 or an SUV, you can sure afford a Geo.

You're stating the standard American complaint, which is going to become increasingly common: "Well, sure I contributed to the problem. But you can't expect me to pay the consequences. As a matter of fact, you should feel sorry for me."

Just to anticipate the binary argument: I'm not reveling in suffering. I am blaming the victim, but only to the extent that the victim has participated in his/her own victimization.

Sure, Americans have been programmed to consume as if they live in an infinite world. But there's a willfulness to it: "Donchew tell me I can't drive a truck. Donchew tell me not to drive to the store four times a day. Donchew tell me to ride a bus. Donchew tell me to turn down the heat." Americans act as if defending their comfort exempts them from reality. "If there's not enough oil in the world, then I'd have to ramp down my all-important lifestyle. That would be bad. Therefore, there's enough oil in the world, and don't tell me there's not."

Gnashing teeth over the suffering that will result from high oil prices doesn't change anything. The time to change was a long time ago, and Americans chose not to. It's been a helluva dance. But that damn piper's sitting there with his hand out.