Maya Curry & Amanda Ripley of Time.com have their cups half full… of $4 gas.  Amanda takes a look at the good things about $4 gas.

Among the good things about overpriced gas are: globalized jobs return – Since its now more expensive to travel or ship goods, it now makes less economic sense to get items over the borders.

1. Housing Closer to cities – home buyers want to drive less, so they are living closer to cities which means builders are attempting to accommodate them.
2. Four-Day Workweeks – More companies are looking in to the energy saving of Telework & telecommuting.
3. Less Pollution – Less driving makes less pollution.
4. Frugality – From getting little scooters to checking tires, drivers are finding ways to get their gas usage down with NO help from the government or automakers.
5. Fewer Traffic Deaths – Less driving = less major accidents.
6. Cheaper Insurance – Some Insurance companies offer the category “pleasure driver” for those that drive less.  The pleasure driver pays less.
7. Less Traffic – Drivers are getting smarter about carpooling and consolidating their trips.
8. More Cops on the Beat – Georgia state police are driving 25% less which means less money spent on gas and more face time with the community.
9. Less Obesity - ?  (I must have the special ability of Sixth Sense/Richard Simmons: “I SEE FAT PEOPLE.”

I would add a few more pluses to the list:

Political will for alternative energy -  There are now more bipartisan movements toward alternative fuels for less foreign energy dependence.

Innovations – do a search on free energy, HHO, Water 4 gas, alternative or green energy and would will find thousands of inventors who have created all kinds of methods for energy independence.

$4 Gas make people hate the Bush administration more: O.k. I’m showing my bias.

More people paying attention to the Economy and world events