Amidst all of the wailing and gnashing of teeth over the current gas prices in Chicago, there is one topic that no one seems willing to mention: conservation. I reside in Denmark where the price of gas is approximately $4.40 per gallon. Because taxes account for a big portion of the gas price, the Danes enjoy excellent public transportation facilities, many use a bicycle as their primary mode of transportation and the only SUVs to be seen are parked near the U.S. Embassy. In other words, they conserve and have a better quality of life as a result.
It’s unfortunate to read that our politicians’ only response is to reduce our national gas reserves, suspend the state gas tax and generally produce a considerable amount of hot air accusing each other of incompetence. Although it may not be welcome, conservation is a concept that we all may need to relearn. After all, 1973 was only 27 years ago.
