An increase of 5 MPG can be achieved virtually overnight in the US. Taxing vehicles that get less than 20 MPG, eg. Making SUVs subject to fuel efficiency standards. Putting a large tax on gasoline discouraging its consumption. In time of war, countries make sacrifices. America manufactured no new passenger vehicles for the duration of WWII and nobody whimpered. Why should it be different today? America imports only 12.7% of its oil from the Persian Gulf and that includes taking out what we export. In times of war, contracts can get voided, virtually every contract for anything bigger than a toaster has a clause that voids it in time of war. And we don't even have to fail to meet our obligations. Yup, you're right...does wonders to a politician's popularity...especially for reelection...unemployment due to fuel costs is wonderous for capitalism...or maybe you live in a dictatorship?