The Wall Street Journal's online Opinion Journal feature Best of the Web Today by James Taranto links to this story from the New York Post in which Hillary Clinton is reported to have called for a return to a national speed limit of 55 mph.

Well, even Hillary can't be wrong about everything. In this case I agree with her. A 55 mph speed limit may well be a needed step at this time, for the following reasons. (cont.)

(1) 55 would lower American oil consumption, thereby helping lower the amount of oil we import. Every dollar we send to Muslim nations for oil can help to sponsor terrorism against us either directly, or indirectly by the promotion of radical Islam.
(2) 55 would lower American oil consumption, thereby helping lower the amount of oil we import. Every dollar that goes out helps to skew our balance of trade.
(3) 55 would lower American oil consumption, thereby reducing demand. Reducing demand would reduce prices. Yes, markets may correct over time, but, at present America's working poor suffer. As a pastor I see 1 to 2 people per week at my door needing help with gas so they can commute to work.
(4) 55 would lower American oil consumption, thereby helping conserve a limited resource. The earth and its resources are finite; we cannot continue to live as though they were infinite.
(5) 55 would lower American oil consumption, reducing pollution. We need breathable air--what part of this assertion is debatable? From a Christian perspective we are to be stewards of the earth, caring for the earth and tending it. Even from an Earth Third perspective (which I share: God, people, earth), the responsibility of stewardship remains.
(6) 55 would lower the death rate on America's highways. How many deaths is it worth to you to reduce your trip time by 10-15%?

I got my driver's license in 1972. I remember 55 (and lines at the pumps and shortened hours by some stations). One of the few good things about the 70s was that we as a nation took the oil crisis seriously at the time. The national speed limit was lowered and automakers had mileage standards to meet. Many people carpooled, took alternative transportation, and cut back on non-essential driving. While some American individuals are responding to high gas prices by cutting back, we as a nation remain as addicted as ever. What will we do about it?