[C. Edmund Wright]

I can't believe you fancy yourself a conservative and well informed enough to come on this forum, and don't understand this VERY BASIC AND NO DUH concept. Every dollar that does NOT have to go into energy costs will go into OTHER STIMULATIVE SPENDING by every consumer and every business in the country. Fuel is a huge line item for many industries, all those involving fleet management, but many more as well. When their fuel costs are lower, they can hire more, buy more newer vehicles, give raises, and invest other money into their businesses.

Meanwhile, consumers travel more, eat out more, shop more, and are more likely to upgrade their homes, etc. Astonishing, yes astonishing you don't see this. The relatively low cost of energy is one of the major advantages the USA has had for many decades. It's far more important than China's currency manipulation or almost anything else.

Here's one of millions of articles that you can find on the topic: http://www.pipelineandgasjournal.com/low-natural-gas-prices-create-jobs-spur-economic-growth-across-country

[mac_truck]

Every dollar that does NOT have to go into energy costs will go into OTHER STIMULATIVE SPENDING by every consumer and every business in the country.

[Teacher317]

Meanwhile, consumers travel more,

Not really. Gas prices are highly inelastic. The change in demand is very small in comparison to the (very frequent and sometimes very large) changes in gas prices.

Most won't cancel the weekend trip to the city just because gas prices went up, and wouldn't add one just because they fell. Most other transportation is non-optional. Driving to work/school, to the store, and to our entertainment choices is mostly the same as when gas was twice its current price just 4 years ago.

Your point is well-taken that if we spend less on energy, we have more to spend on other things ('we' meaning individuals AND businesses alike)... but I also wouldn't go insulting people and their 'conservative cred' for not having a macro-economics background.

[KittenClaws]

I can't believe you fancy yourself a conservative and well informed enough to come on this forum, and don't understand this VERY BASIC AND NO DUH concept. Every dollar that does NOT have to go into energy costs will go into OTHER STIMULATIVE SPENDING by every consumer and every business in the country. Fuel is a huge line item for many industries, all those involving fleet management, but many more as well. When their fuel costs are lower, they can hire more, buy more newer vehicles, give raises, and invest other money into their businesses.
Meanwhile, consumers travel more, eat out more, shop more, and are more likely to upgrade their homes, etc. Astonishing, yes astonishing you don't see this. The relatively low cost of energy is one of the major advantages the USA has had for many decades. It's far more important than China's currency manipulation or almost anything else.
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The downside to this is when the oil industry loses enough, the Saudis will control our prices and supply.

We need energy independence and the US Government needs to lay off of the heavy-handed taxes - taxes are what makes the end product so expensive.