Finally, a media story in favor of high gas prices. I have said for some time the best thing for America would be $10/gallon gas prices. Such thoughts do not make me popular with my friends and family, so I doubt I will run for the White House soon. Nevertheless, such prices wold be of great help to our nation.

In addition to all the fine reasons cited in the article, the most important reason to move to high gas prices is it would more quickly move us to something else. I think our need to move on from something other than petroleum for our energy needs is very clear. I don't know what the next big thing is, but we need it sooner, rather than later. Nothing moves transitions like this along like big profits to be made. Investment in some untried idea looks better and better the higher the price of oil, so let's move the price higher.

you are essentially correct, but keep in mind that this scenario requires that we "move to something else" very very quickly. The window of opportunity - where there is demand for a different product, but still a well-enough functioning economy to make it happen - is rather small. If we miss it, or wait too long, everything could go down the crapper.

I'm also glad to read this story. There's this weird disconnect in the mainstream media where half the stories highlight global warming and carbon footprints, and the other half complain that gasoline is too damn expensive. Either the don't understand supply and demand, or tehy just want to say whatever is on the minds of the shallowest people in America.

In the mid or long term the market and American (or Japanese or European) inventiveness will provide a lasting solution in the form of alternative vehicle power sources.

In the short term - tough!

But American politicians have a lot to answer for. Invading Iraq turned out to be a poor energy strategy