But the higher prices (not stupid, but around $80+\- crude prices) actually allow us to exploit US resources easier. This creates jobs. And the US energy industry was partially responsible for keeping the economy from collapsing (some in Gov't would not like to admit this). A Strong energy industry is good for the US (at least as we are currently set up). As it stands right now, this is one of the few things we are good at.

And contrary to popular belief, the price of crude doesn't affect local gas prices as much as you'd think... It's mostly taxes... So a decrease of 50% in raw crude price actually might only be a decrease of less than ~20% in a gallon of gas.

I'm WAY over simplifying this.

Disclaimer: I work in this industry, so I'm biased. However, I'd love nothing more, on a personal level, to use fossil fuels less and put myself out of a job... But our economy isn't quite ready for that. It would take a transition so as to not jolt the system...