There have been several items in the news recently noting that despite rising gas prices, consumer spending on gasoline has not been affected.  Some of these stories have taken on the "tsk-tsk" tone that America's gluttony for oil may not abate until prices reach $5.00 per gallon.  What the subtle scolding fails to recognize is that Americans keep consuming oil not out of gluttony but out of necessity.

    Let's just accept for a moment that America has done precious little since the oil crisis of the 1970's to develop alternative energy sources, promote conservation, or improve mass transit systems.  Thus we find ourselves today as thirsty as ever for energy.  Is that the consumers fault?  If gas is at $2.00, or $3.50, or $5.00 a gallon, somebody still has to get to Dunkin' Donuts in the early morning hours to pour your coffee.  Somebody has to stand checkout at the grocery store, nurses have to get to hospitals, teachers have to get to schools, carpenters have to get to job sites. 

    These aren't gluttons, they're hard working people who have no choice but to buy gas at whatever price.  One gets the sense larger forces understand this, which is why Exxon Mobil continues to post record profits (not just records for a quarter, but for performance by ANY American Company EVER)!

    And here's another remarkable statistic.  The US Government is currently spending about $6 billion per month on the Iraq War.  It will spend $771 million on alternative energy this entire year.  That represents the 22% increase in alternative energy spending the President proposed in his State of the Union address.  Still, we will spend more in one WEEK in Iraq to, in part, protect our access to foreign oil, than we will spend in a YEAR to develop ways to wean ourselves from that oil.

    I don't blame Exxon Mobil, or the Bush Administration (after all there have been Republicans AND Democrats in the White House since the last energy crisis).   There is plenty of blame to go around as we watch gas prices, and oh yes, global temperatures, continue to rise.  But please don't blame the consumers, they're just trying to get to work.