Very well put. Most people need the job, to buy the gas, to put in the car, to get to work and keep the job, to buy the gas, etc, etc.
I was also just thinking that oil spills would be good for the economy as well. It could create jobs for years to come. So..... should we have some spills on purpose every now and then when we need an economic boost? No, of course not. But I bet a politician could convince a number of people otherwise, tax them to do it, and then tax them to clean it up.
Chilling thought eh! Yikes