Some argue that gas taxes would only exascerbate the current economic downward spiral. I, howeverer, believe they are an integral part to "stopping our dependence on foreign oil." The reason for global warming as well as frivolous fossil fuel usuage has been the efforts of OPEC members to keep prices as artifically low as possible in order to prevent focuses on conservation. The US government needs to take drastic measures to increase the price of gas in order to drive home to the American people the absolute necessity of gas conservation. Such action would, in addition, help to focus private sector interest into alternative energy industries. In case anyone was wondering.....this post was pretty much a reaction to a West Wing episode.