1. This plan was destined to fail from the start because of the simple fact that it was written by an engineer.
2. The ones who really should be pissed about fuel prices are those that buy diesel, which is essentially a by-product of the gasoline refining process.
3. If you can afford a $40k suv or truck and the fuel to put in it, you can afford a little grocery getter. Nobody is forcing you to go to the dealership and buy new. A $2k Civic would do the job just as well.
4. Part of the reason Venezuela has cheap ass gas is because they don't pump it full of additives and crap.
5. There are many refineries and many distributors, but fewer suppliers. Most of the gas running through our pipelines going out for consumption really only come from a handful of places. Once it reaches it destination it is divided up, additives mixed in, and pumped into a tanker to go to the stations. Chances are you could buy gas at 6 different stations around town and still receive the same base mix of gasoline.
6. Saying "thats how it is and we can't do anything about it" usually give them license to do whatever they want.
The reason diesle has gotten so bad is 3 fold.
your right its a by product,unfourtunatly that means there is less diesle than gas produced form each barrel of crude.
Its around 25-30% of one barrel ends up as diesel,that means the suply is limited by the amount of barrels refined for gas needs,as more and more trucks and cars are fueled by diesel.That means the need for gas lowers % wise.So the cost of diesel is increased by demand/lower supply.They dont refine crude just for the diesel,so there can be a diesel shortage even though there is plenty of gas.
More diesel is being used every yr,trains,heavy trucks,farm,large boats,cruis ships,naval fleet,and now many light duty trucks ans passenger cars.This adds to the demand,and the supply is limited by the amount of gas refined/needed at that time.
And refinment,at times our refineries are down,or other issues slow thier ability to produce to demands..when this happens fuel is often bought from over seas already refined,when this happens it increases the cost tremendously for gas,but especiallyt for diesel.
as far as buying a groceriy getter,why should I pay tax tittle and licence,and regestration each yr,and insurance on an additional vehicle just for misc needs.I have 2 one ton trucks I use for work already that I must register/inspect/insure already.
The additional car will cost me more than I could imagine saving in fuel/tire costs
A small car/truck would serve little purpose in our household,and as such would not be cost effective.
Large 4 door trucks serve our needs better,despite thier fuel costs
and we can do something about it
we should drill in alaska,and build new refineries
we should build more clean coal power plants
we should build new lakes in anticipation of greater water demand for the next generation
and make all the dams power generators,and use underwater turbines to create power generating
stations along rivers strategic areas with heavy elevation drops.
Nix wind IMO its not cost effective,push solar though
cheaper panels,and better battery/storage will greatly improve this industry
Though higher taxes,and regulations (cap and trade) will undoubtable mean such products used in these industries will be produced outside the U.S. and as a resullt our work force will suffer.
i have jackson c.o.w. now 
