Haynes discusses the many past and present problems encountered by the oil industry. United States oil industries have gotten a bad image lately. As gas prices rise, and oil companies report ever larger returns, Americans have gotten angry. The recent gains by oil companies are normal, and they will allow the companies to search for more natural gas and help the U.S. become more energy self-sufficient. However, total energy self-sufficiency is not economically feasible. Several actions could be taken to get the U.S. closer to self-sufficiency. The U.S. should increase offshore oil and gas leasing, authorize the rapid conversion of oil and natural gas burning power plants to coal and nuclear fuel (so long as public health is not endangered), and strictly enforce the 55-mile-per-hour speed limit. Many of these actions require an improved political environment. While there are many possible solutions to the U.S. energy crisis, they require the overwhelming support of the American people.