Large cities are generally more expensive and less accountable than smaller communities.
Just moving out of the city resulted in lower taxes, better schools, substantially better police response and a generally higher quality of life.
Technology will solve many of the short term problems we are facing. Telecommuting will reduce many people’s need to commute to the office. Higher gas prices are spurring development of more efficient cars, although we could be driving cars with better gas mileage if the government safety regulations hadn’t effectively banned tiny cars like the old GEO Metro.
I am puzzled by your contention that the government drills for oil. Oil companies want the opportunity to pay the government for the right to drill. They pay leases and then pay royalties on the oil they pump.
Of course the government doesn’t drill. However, they can prevent us from doing so. They can also raise gas taxes and control the road system. That’s why I like to use as little gas as possible and avoid being subject to the whims of government.
I agree technology will solve many problems. I think the high prices right now will cause market forces to push us even further in that direction. This will happen much more quickly and efficiently than any government program.