Our economy is a petroleum based economy. It has been since post WWII. Charging $20 per gallon for fuel is not going to change that.
And the reason we won WWII (and why the Japs attacked Perl Harbor) was over access to oil, as well as our ability to refine it.
Without a vibrant, self sustaining petroleum based economy WE CANNOT WIN ANOTHER MAJOR MILITARY CONFLICT.
Killing our oil industry is quit literally treason.
Almost everything we do depends on oil at one or more levels.
I know 2 things that CANNOT be made with solar or wind power:
STEEL
GLASS
Our economy is a petroleum based economy. It has been since post WWII. Charging $20 per gallon for fuel is not going to change that.
USA may be petro-based, but many predict we will be near 3rd world if energy prices continue to rise unchecked.
Many business models are structured on low cost energy—diesel, gasoline, nat. gas. They cannot continue to participate in the economy if prices continue to rise unchecked. Same for commuters.
Some truckers have stated they cannot afford to stay in business if diesel goes past $7-$8, and many people cannot afford $10 gas—let alone $20./gallon gas to get to work, provide deliveries, etc.
Can it really be a petroleum based economy if no one can afford petroleum?