Would you support a citizens oil embargo if it

[Javaman]

created higher gas prices, higher food prices, higher clothing prices, higher public transportation prices lasting more than 6 months? And presumably having an obvious effect.

(I'm not talking just a little higher, but a lot higher.)

[el_bryanto]

1. And, presumably, had a chance of having an effect.

Bryant

[Javaman]

2. Yes, presumably.

I will correct.

[drmeow]

3. Not without some serious

changes on a lot of fronts. The people who would be most hurt by the higher prices are, of course, the poor. This country is already royally screwing the poor. It is easy for me to say, yes, I'll pay more. I can easily afford it. But even if it lead to better environmental (and human rights) practices by the oil company, they would just continue to fuck over the rest of us.

I'd like to see all revenue to oil companies go into a kind of escrow account. Operating expenses would be paid out of that account but no bonuses or dividends. At the end of the year, the cost of fixing any environmental problems caused by oil company would be deducted from the account. Anything left would be paid out as dividends and bonuses. When I lease some place to live, I often have to put down a security/cleaning deposit. Start the escrow account with a security deposit that oil companies have to provide when they sign each drilling lease.

[notesdev]

4. Actually it would probably lead to lower prices

Supply and demand... if normal folks cut back on their consumption, there are fewer buyers and companies will lower prices in order to sell what they have to those still willing to buy (e.g. truckers, industry).

In order for prices to go higher you have to restrict supply or increase demand. An embargo at the consumer level is by definition a decrease in demand.