I managed to find somebody yesterday who is optimistic about the US economy! . He was quite a smart fellow who owns a print and copy shop and owns a masters degree in economics. No dummy. And what he said did make sense to some degree. He forecasted that the devaluation of the dollar is a blessing which will lead to more exporting from the US being possible and that this will lead in the next year or two to a new boom in manufacturing in the USA. I hope he is right. I am not so sure. But it was at least good to meet someone who has an optimistic viewpoint about the American economy and where it is headed. If one steps back and takes a deep breath and looks at the shocking increase in gas prices then they can apply this same brand of optimism. .



There is a particularly great advantage of the soaring price of oil which should be a cause of celebration amongst the environmental organizations: it is making alternative energy much more attractive, so much so that the rising price may open the door, finally for a major wave of renewable energy projects which could, in turn, lead to a greater share of the market and perhaps the movement of alternative fuel sources into the mainstream. This would be a serious lemons to lemonade sort of scenario.

Overall, the high price of energy is having some pretty bad effects -- but if it can help shift the playing field to alternative energy, this silver lining may end up being an amazing turning point in history.

The longer gas prices continue to rise, the greater the significance of potential consumer drift. A rise of ten percent in gas prices lessens consumption by just roughly half a percent in the short term, but it lessens demand more significantly over a the long haul

As people decide on the important things for the future, such as where to live and what kind of vehicle to drive, they are beginning to consider in the cost of fuel. Some are choosing smaller cars or are moving closer to their jobs to lower driving.

The recent "crisis" has halted or impeded many new subdivisons, high gas prices have lowered consumption and resulted in less purchasing of, and increasing construction costs are restricting new coal and gas facilities.

Meanwhile, economic incentives are creating a frenzy of new clean energy construction.

But the most fascinating thing is that all that is going on while the real remedy for to improvement in fuel economy and helping the environment through cleaner emissions is RIGHT HERE AT