[Schneed10]

Uh oh, this thread is going political.

Hybrids are not the answer. They typically cost on average $4000 more than the comparable non-hybrid model. The savings on gas doesn't offset the increase in price.

Blaming the oil companies is like shooting the messenger. The price of oil as a commodity has gone up because of stronger demand from China and India's economies, which are growing like wildfire. Middle east tensions between the Iraq war and the tension with Iran are also causing oil prices to rise. There's no conspiracy occurring between the big oil firms to price gauge the consumers, it's quite simply a matter of supply and demand when it comes to oil.

Alternative energy sources are the real answer. You have to reduce America's demand for oil in order to insulate the American consumers from oil prices.