Big Oil still refuses to take any cuts profits, but instead says that prices are so high because the feds will not allow them to drill more at home. Okay, so they are kinda right (more on this later). Big Oil refuses to give up it's tax subsidies, and the Feds think Big Oil should use a chunk of their profits to research alternate energy sources, if they wish to keep their subsidies. Okay, they are kinda right here, too. Big Oil says that it isn't their responsibility to research alternative energy sources....that they are OIL companies, not energy companies. Hmmm....sounds like they are afraid of putting themselves out of jobs!

Bottom line, we need to find a way to no longer be dependent on foreign oil. As long as we are dependent on foreign oil, we will continue to be affected by oil usage in other countries, such as China who is basically screwing us over in more ways than one! The best way to do that is to find an alternate energy source. In the mean time, we need to be allowed to drill and produce locally...then WE control the prices if only WE are allowed to use OUR oil. Of course, the Feds do not want this. Probably, because it will royally tick off the middle east if we quit funneling money their way.

We are in a big hurt right now, and things are not going to get any better soon, I'm afraid! It has been proven that ethanol actually causes vehicles to get WORSE gas mileage, as well as wears away parts faster. This causes driving in general to be more expensive for everyone! But who cares, right? They do not care if the cost goes up for the common citizen, as long as their profits go up!

I have an idea, but it will have to take nationwide participation for it to work! Big Oil is banking on the summer vacation/travel months! Prices are already rising as the weather gets warmer (in some places, as much as 10 cents or more overnight)!!! The big oil companies are probably already making their forecasts for the summer months. I say we should burst their bubble! I personally plan on staying home this summer, and I urge everyone else to do the same! I'll still be taking my time off, but I will not be leaving town. I ask many of you, when was the last time you saw the sights at home? I plan on being a tourist right here! There are many things to do around here, and it has been years since I've enjoyed the local flavor! I plan on parking my happy little car in a parking lot central to the places I'm going, and using the local transportation system to get around to see the sights (as they would still be running if I used them or not)! I plan on taking the kids to museums, landmarks, etc....all the stuff we do in other cities when we take a vacation. Only difference will be that we will be able to sleep in our own beds come the end of the day (save money normally spent on hotels), we will not have to drive hours to get there (save money on gas and wear on car), etc. We may still eat out a few meals....like maybe lunch or dinner at places we haven't gone in a long time....but for the most part, eat at home or take some food with us (pack a cooler the day we go to the parks). It is possible to have just as much fun right at home as you would someplace else. I mean, people travel to your cities for vacation, so there must be something to see and do there!

Just look at the difference in some calculations (using my families typical summer trip):

Hotel for 5 nights: no less than $325 (and that's the cheap places)
Gas (being conservative): $420
Food: $500 to $750 (family of 5)
Attraction costs: $150

Okay, so if I "vacation at home":

Hotel: $0...staying at home
Gas: being generous (2 tanks in one week)...$115
Food: No more than $200 if one meal a day out...maybe $100/groceries at home.
Attraction costs: $150

So by vacationing at home, I save about $830+. What makes me happier is that I'm stiffing the big oil companies of at least $246! That may not seem like much, but if only 1,000 people did this, that is nearly $250,000, or a quarter of a million dollars! So, for every 4,000 people (total population of a very small town), we can stiff big oil of at least $1 million! 100,000 people, $25 million! 1,000,000 people (size of a major city), $250 million dollars that big oil will never see!

Now, I understand this would also affect the travel industry and such. Unfortunately, to stick it to big oil, travel also ends up taking a hit. Now, if that concerns you, maybe go ahead and spend a couple of nights with your spouse in that high class hotel in town (send the kids to grandma), and just spend some quality time together with the money you saved. It's a win-win!!! You don't have to hear "Are we there yet?" 20,000 times, you can still take your kids to do fun things (only right around home), and there will still be enough money to steal away a couple of romantic moments with your spouse (and we all know that during hard financial times, marriages need all the help they can get...the number one cause of divorce is money issues)!!!

Just leave a comment if you are in on this plan. I wish there were some way to spread this all over the internet. If anyone has any ideas, let me know! I'm already making my list of things to do right here at home with my family that everyone will love (we have botanical gardens, a beautiful park with a natural spring fed pool, museums, areas where we can do some hiking and/or camping, etc.)...I also have an idea of some places to go out to eat...places we have not been to in a LONG time, but the kids love! I can tell you my kids are actually relieved....they like doing all of these kinds of things, but they do not like the long drive to get there, and they always complain about the beds. My daughter worries about all of her pets (one year, the guy who was supposed to come feed her cats didn't...luckily they didn't die), but this way she doesn't have to try to find someone trustworthy. They don't have to pack. My kids are actually really hip on the idea!

So, let me know....who's in, and how can we spread the word (without taking down email servers)?