Last week, three of the world's biggest oil companies reported record-breaking quarterly profits in excess of $27 billion. It's pretty hard to fathom that kind of money - but what is easier for the rest of us to see in real terms is also breaking records: the cost of a gallon of gas.

We aren't hearing national leadership call for more conservation, nor are we hearing any plans that would help stop our addiction to oil. I find this shocking and not shocking. Why should we be surprised that Big Oil wants more? Despite racking up billions in profits ("Since 2001, the major oil companies have amassed close to $600 billion in profits "), they still ask for and receive billions in taxpayer-funded subsidies every year.

Conservation has to be part of our solution. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said in a release last week, "Americans consume 25% percent of the world's produced oil, but our nation holds less than 3% of the world's proven oil reserves."

Hopefully, one of these days something will really change.