FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
As unrest sweeps through the Middle East like wildfire, it's worth remembering this crisis will cost all of us - especially at the gas station.
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And maybe – just maybe – this time, the chaos in that part of the world will finally be enough to break America's addiction to foreign oil.
Although Egypt is not a major oil producer, it plays a key role in the transport of oil and gas headed to the U.S., Europe and Asia through the Suez Canal.
Without it, shippers would have to send crude oil and gas around the Horn of Africa. That adds on more than two weeks of delivery time to global markets.
With the ongoing violence and protests in Egypt, some shippers are worried about disruptions to the Suez Canal or nearby pipelines.
Nearly 2.5 million barrels of oil go through the canal every day – that's about equal to Iraq's output.
All this comes as global oil supplies are tightening – mostly due to China's increasing demand.
And the markets are reacting. Crude is trading at more than $103 a barrel – that's a 28-month high.
Even before the Mideast erupted, some experts were predicting gas at $5 a gallon by 2012.
And it's not just about the money. So much of the politics of the region has always been dictated by our need for oil. It would be nice to do what's in our best national interest for a change... instead of being beholden to Mideast dictators for their oil.
Here’s my question to you: Should the chaos in the Middle East be enough to break America's addiction to foreign oil?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Bob in Ohio writes:
It should be, but it won't. We do not have an affordable, long-range, electric-powered alternative to replace our fossil fuel guzzling cars. Until that happens, we are hooked on oil. I'll bet if BP and the other big oil companies held a majority interest in electric or battery production, we would have efficient, low-cost electric or hybrid vehicles next week.
Jim writes:
Not as long as the oil companies run this country.
Rich in Texas writes:
The only way America is going to escape the stranglehold of foreign oil is for oil to become so expensive Americans can no longer afford to buy it. Once that happens, then we will start to get serious about alternate fuels and other modes of transportation.
Carol in Massachusetts writes:
Nope. Remember gas lines in the 70s? If that didn't do it, nothing will. Americans are almost more loathe to give up their precious SUV gas-guzzlers than their guns.
Mark in New Jersey writes:
Of course not, Jack. The oil companies would never allow it, and they have more to say about it than us, the stupid voters. The House and the Senate are owned by the oil companies – lock, stock, and barrel, no pun intended.
Joe writes:
Should it be enough? Yes! Will it be enough? No. It seems we're happier to complain than make the difficult decisions to remove ourselves from foreign dependence. Natural gas, offshore drilling or solar panels, I don't care! Let's do all of it and make America strong again!
Paul writes:
In the land of two-Hummer families, I don't think that's very likely.
Kim writes:
Does a heroin addict stop buying heroin because his dealer is having a family dispute? Not hardly. Foreign oil flows through our national veins like heroin in a junkie, so not only can we not stop, we will not be allowed to stop because they are addicted to our money the same way.