Let’s face it, you can’t go anywhere today without hearing about gas prices and how they are affecting consumers. Plenty of Trinity students are feeling the pain at the pump. While people want answers to this problem, the oil debate seemingly drones on and on with bickering politicians who can’t agree on the same legislation. Many Americans say they have had enough. Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, excuses are running thin for not drilling more oil. Protecting the special “rainbow trout” off the coast of Washington state doesn’t seem nearly as desirable now that we have finally made it to an energy crunch. While there are different opinions across the spectrum about what to do from here, some opponents to offshore drilling insist that 10 years is too long to develop new fuel and it is not economical. “I’m clearly opposed to wasting our nation’s resources drilling more oil,” Trinity teacher Mr. Michael Budniak said. “Those same resources could be used pursuing an alternative fuel.” Supporters of offshore drilling argue that the resources are just waiting to be developed. “Drilling here at home will help us break free from foreign sources of oil,” junior Mike Jacobsen said. “If the resources are available, it would be foolish not to take full advantage.” It’s no lie to say that America has plenty of oil reserves. Drilling in areas off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts would create lower prices and allow a vast surplus for our nation’s oil consumption, 25 percent of the world’s annual production. The questions continue: Is it smart sending billions of dollars for oil to countries that may or may not have our best interests at heart? If we kept our money here at home and stimulated thousands of new jobs through oil production, wouldn’t we be better off?