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# America’s oil ‘addiction’ in need of intervention
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/americas-oil-addiction-in-need-of-intervention/
- Published: 2006-05-08T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-25T00:02:03.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By COMMON SCENTS BY CAROLE ORLIN*

I reviewed some interesting polling numbers done by Opinion Dynamics Corporation for FOX News within the last week. The focus was on when the American people consider the price of gasoline to be at a price point that could be described as a “crisis.” Right now, with gas at the $3 level, only 32 percent of Americans consider the current situation as a crisis. Rising above $4 per gallon brings the crisis number to 52 percent. It appears that the magic number must go over $5 before three out of four people reach the crisis conclusion.

In reviewing a collection of my columns from the last several years, I discovered that on numerous occasions, I had repeated the theme of a pending crisis that was not being satisfactorily addressed — the upward spiral of energy costs: ■ SMDP (page 6), July 5, 2004: “Bush-wacked on the road to the hydrogen highway”

I talked about “our gas prices jumping to $2.22 a gallon …” and highlighted “how the public has been misled about the facts surrounding the oil issue …” and my feeling that “the government’s resolve is illusory.” ■ SMDP (page 4), July 19, 2004: “The hydrogen highway might be leading us to a dead end”

I explained my “frustration over the last three decades at making any serious progress of reducing our oil dependency by decreasing oil consumption and seriously exploring alternative energy sources.” We “have watched politicians (of both parties) and lobbying groups over the last 30-plus years create a real smokescreen.” ■ SMDP (page 4), Nov. 22, 2004: “Getting the energy to buy a hybrid can be taxing”

I alluded to the price of gas “march(ing) towards $3 and my potential excitement about buying a hybrid. ■ SMDP (page 7), Nov. 24, 2004: “Hype over the hybrids makes buyers lose gas”

I shared how “(m)y enthusiasm…” in purchasing a hybrid …” quickly turned to concern.” I pointed to the “enormous power and wealth of auto manufacturers and the oil companies … naturally driven by increasing and unreasonable, if not unconscionable profits.” ■ SMDP (page 5), Aug. 29, 2005: “We need to assess the real price of gasoline”

I looked at the climb of gasoline prices to a national average “above $2.60 per gallon for unleaded…” and commented on Chris Rock’s prediction on HBO of the “potential for Rodney King-type riots in the street when the price of gas hits $5 per gallon.” ■ SMDP (page 5), Oct. 10, 2005: Hybrid search driving U.S. consumers mad”

I discussed the culmination of nearly a year of searching to find and purchase a hybrid, allowing me to make a personal statement “quietly going to the gas station much less frequently in the coming months and years.”

Here we are in May 2006\. Last week’s Los Angeles Times business section headlined: “Pump Prices Pass $3.20 in California” (May 2, 2006). All of the news media seems to be zeroed in on the rising oil prices. This comes after ExxonMobil reported an $8.4 billion profit for its most recent quarter — up 7 percent from a year ago. This staggering profit report comes days after ExxonMobil announced that it was sending its retiring CEO and chair, Lee Raymond, one of the most lucrative retirement packages in history — worth an estimated $398 million. Something does seem to be really wrong with this picture.

I cannot say that I am really shocked. It is clear that our leaders at the highest levels from the 1970s to date have not made any serious attempt at weaning us from our “oil addiction,” as President Bush has repeatedly observed. Could we expect a different result in light of the personal fortunes that have been tied to the Bush presidents? What has frustrated me most is that a country like Brazil has spent time and money over the last three decades at developing a cost-effective alternative to gasoline: ethanol. Ethanol actually releases less carbon dioxide than fossil fuels. Brazil expects to find itself energy independent during 2006\. Brazil is not a small country, with a population in excess of 186,000,000\. At the same time, the United States, with our population of approximately 295,000,000, finds itself importing 60 percent of its oil.

The New York Times devoted an editorial last week (May 1, 2006) to “Ethanol’s Promise.” It is worth quoting from their concluding paragraph: “Ethanol will not itself end our oil dependency or global warming, We also need far more efficient cars and more efficient transportation systems as part of a larger smart-growth strategy. But given enough financial support and political will, it could be a huge first step toward ending America’s oil addiction.” My experience in living through the long gas lines of the 1970’s to the escalating prices of gas in 2006 lead me to be highly skeptical that the political will is going to be long lasting enough to make a difference. (Carole).

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 8, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/050806.pdf?ref=smdp.com)