As if we didn't know about the high cost of gasoline and diesel fuel each time we pay the price, the media reminds us on a daily basis. In addition, we are told to expect enormous increases in our heating costs this winter, and the resulting inflationary costs of almost everything.

Instead of blaming the oil industry and condemning them for the excessive profits, something must be done to resolve the lack of oil refining and natural gas capacity, to increase oil and gas resources -- because of increasing demand from China -- and to bolster our electrical energy output.

The reason we are in this mess is because of unreasonable environmental costs and restrictions, which make it nearly impossible for the energy industry to build refineries and power plants. Even if they try it takes at least a decade, under current laws, which is why no new refineries and few power plants have been built during the last 30 years.

Unless extreme ideologies and superficial selfish interests are replaced by common sense, we could face the grim future of our own complacency.