World Safety, Higher Gas Prices?

With the recent news of North Korea’s successful attempts at testing nuclear weapons and reports of Iran starting a uranium enrichment program (which would be the first steps towards creating nuclear weapons) the stability and safety of the world seems to be in question.

While this doesn’t signal the second coming of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the world is certainly on “nuclear alert.”

So what should be done about it?  If some people had there way, nothing would be done if it jeopardized the recent decrease in the price of gas.

After polling 111 people, 57 people (roughly 51%) stated they would not support sanctions against Iran and North Korea if it meant gas prices returned to $3 or higher, 47 people (about 42%) said sanctions should be used even if gas prices return to $3, and 7 people (about 6%) said they were unsure sanctions would be worth higher gas prices.

This is a bit surprising, especially considering the economic effects of $3 gas really weren’t that bad.  While it may have been inconvenient to pay $30, $40 or $50 to fill up, in the grand scheme of things, the economy didn’t come to a grinding halt and most people were able to afford the extra cost at the pump.

If anything, this is probably just a reflection of years and years of cheap oil and gasoline.  People have become accustomed to not having to worry about getting the best possible gas mileage or having to cut spending elsewhere in order to make sure they had enough money to fill up their cars.

Either way, I would have expected most people to support sanctions against Iran and/or North Korea considering a nuclear holocaust is a lot worse than having to spend $3 or $4 for a gallon of gasoline.