Benefits? Maybe it benefits wastes of oxygen who like to drive 60 miles each way in their commute short term. But what of the effects of global warming? What about instability caused by increased dependence on cheap Middle Eastern oil, since we’re using our military to save the bacon time and time again over there. What about the retardation of meaningful alternative energy research, and the adoption of nuclear power? For that matter, what about the destruction or mothballing of domestic oil production capability?

The French were smart, unlike us. Come the first oil crisis in the 1970s, they decided to embark on a large-scale program of building out nuclear and hydro power, as well as electrification of all major rail lines. They kicked their economy into the 21st century 30 years early, while we’re mired in the 20th century, partying with cheap fossil poison while the world burns.

BTW – we’re not pressuring Russia to produce cheap oil. We’re using cheap Saudi(*) oil to pressure I.S. and the Russians.

(*)- evil theocratic fanatics — I hope I’ll see the day that there’s a revolution in Riyadh and the Saudi royal family is forced to flee their former country at gunpoint, like the Shah in 1979.