NY Times columnist Thomas Friedman recently characterized American energy policy as "No Mullah Left Behind." He argued that "if we had imposed a new gasoline tax after 9/11, demand would have been dampened and gas today would still be $2 a gallon. But instead of the extra dollar going to Saudi Arabia ― where it ends up with mullahs who build madrasas that preach intolerance ― that dollar would have gone to our own Treasury to pay down our own deficit and finance our own schools." In other words, oil conservation at home would help us reinvest in our own society and be a powerful force for change in the Mid-East. Friedman says Middle Eastern oil regimes govern poorly – "they just buy off their people and their mullahs" – while countries pursuing real reforms, such as Jordan, have little oil.

President Bush ignored calls after September 11 to take advantage of the historic moment of opportunity to curtail U.S. oil dependence (see MTR #384). However, Senator Kerry also recently told the AAA that he opposed any increase in the federal gas tax. U.S. oil consumption is up 20% since the early 1980s. 

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