Drill Now, Drive Later. Much Later.

Some regions of the Outer Continental Shelf are protected from oil and gas drilling. Some people think we ought to be drilling away in these regions. Slate notes this 2007 government study on the market impact of increased drilling.

First, timeliness. Assuming that leasing begins in 2012, the study says that expanded drilling "would not have a significant impact on domestic crude oil and natural gas production or prices before 2030." Eighteen years.

Next, price. Even in 2030, when significantly more oil is flowing, "any impact on average wellhead prices is expected to be insignificant."

So, if we start today, we can have no effect on prices as early as 2026. Let's do it!

High Gas Prices - More, More!

Years of blather about foreign oil and environmental damage did little to change the driving habits of the typical American motorist. The Prius was for Hollywood liberals; real patriots drove Hummers.

Now we know the price of change. When gas gets up around $4 a gallon, Americans start acting rationally. They stop buying monstrous trucks and SUV's. And they drive less.

The next step? Bump up the federal gas tax a dollar, and use every dime of the money to subsidize alternative energy technologies - wind, solar, electric cars.

Of course, it'll take a real leader in the White House to pull this off - someone who has the guts, and the political capital, to ram through a good-for-you tax increase. Someone who's willing to talk honestly about gas and taxes. Maybe someone who first brings the troops home, then positions the program as a JFK-style moon landing challenge...maybe.