I actually wouldn't mind paying more for my gasoline if I knew that the money was going into alternative fuels research and infrastructure. The problem I see, is the money would just get turned into bonuses by the corporations who no longer need to answer to the market. People will adjust their lifestyles if needed to pay the higher prices and we will still be stuck without a solution. If that artificial inflation you speak of were to come in the form of a tax that was carefully monitered to ensure that the income generated went into R&D through grants or contracts, then I would agree with your plan. Plus I think part of the tax would need to be turned into subsidies for people who can't afford to heat their homes in the winter, otherwise there will be dead people which IMO is not acceptable.

-Steve G.