I am in total agreement with you on this issue, and for the same reasons you are.

Of course, I'm not exactly an unbiased observer. High energy prices may mean somewhat higher overall retail prices for me, but they aren't going to threaten my income. I live in a mild climate, have an energy-efficient house and I rarely go anywhere except for recreation. Publix market is 200 yards away, and there's a bus stop on the way there. Relative to the society as a whole, I will prosper. But the society is not my problem, is it?

See, I'm learning to think like a Republican. Both my 30MPG Nissans are probably worth more now than what I paid for them new, and they can only become more valuable as time goes on. If hoi polloi gas goes to $10 a gallon I can deal with it, and they can go out and get another job.

Since the 1% pays exactly the same as the 99% per gallon, think of it as a perfectly fair "flat tax".