We encourage immaturity and the brat mentality that says "give me, give me."  We never question our own culpability for the oil addiction in this country.  There's always some one else to blame in America...it's the American way.

My uncle, who can take a car, computer--anything, apart--and put it back together, gleefully sets his cruise control to 55 mph.  It worked in the seventies and it would work now, if we actually cared about fuel efficiency and the environment.  But, we do not. And, we never will. Until it is too late.  Me--I prefer my bike or the bus.  I can always walk, too.  I am in no hurry.