There has been a huge battle over the temporary reduction of a tax on fuel that would be worth a savings of $25 to $40 to most American drivers.

More important energy issues need our attention.

We Americans have built the most automobile dependent transportation system in the world. The development patterns this system have given rise to have resulted in sprawling suburbs around our central cities, and the far flung exurbs beyond those suburbs. Many Americans have made a tradeoff of longer commutes for more affordable housing or the aesthetics of a more remote location.

Americans also drive the biggest gas guzzlers of any country on the planet. The price of fuel is making stepping on the gas a financially painful exercise for the legions of SUV owners, Truck owners and Mini-Van owners. They find themselves in predicament created by America's advertising driven energy intensive lifestyle.

Gallup Poll

Nearly three in four Americans say today's record gas prices are creating a hardship for them personally (20%) or have caused them to adjust their usual spending and saving habits in significant ways (52%).

Of course there are other more long lasting environmental costs to America's energy intensive lifestyle.