As a whole, we live in a pretty stupid society. Our entire shaky economy is propped up on the shambling mess of an oil industry that is too bloated with cash and power to evoke any notable changes this side of the “Kinda-Hybrid” car. That’s a car that uses “Hybrid Technology” to sell itself as a green vehicle by merging the standard fossil fuel combustion engine with a wind-powered coolant system. (Open the windows and feel the breeze.)

A quick glance through any Environmental Site or Forum will show you hundreds of people concerned about conservation and ready to take the next step towards numerous alternatives. TheEnvironmentRoom.com alone has listings for Renewable Energy in the form of Solar, Biofuel, and even Hydroelectric Power.

There in lies the problem. Average schmoes like you and me don’t work for GM or Mobil Oil. We can talk all we want about battery-enhanced cars, but we can’t build them, sell them, or in most cases even afford them.

What’s worse, the things that are actually going our way… like the numerous Ethanol plants and gas stations going up around the country… are just as susceptable to the whims of those in power. Demand for Ethanol has actually increased, but the result is an apparent rise in price of the additive, making it more expensive than regular unleaded. Who determines that price… and what are the factors involved?

So that leaves us to stare blankly at the on-coming train wreck of the 4 dollar gallon, with few national leaders twisting arms to stop it. Why halt the extra cash pouring into their personal pockets, especially when they can blame it on violence in the Middle East or uncertainty in Uruguay or whatever.

It’s the age old story: A butterfly takes a crap on a land-mine in Turkistan, and we feel the effects in our wallets over here. Makes me wish I’d installed that 400 gallon fuel reserve tank in my back yard when I had the chance 6 years ago. Coulda let the kids sell it during the summer. Screw the lemonade stand… give the public what they actually need.