During the past four years, as gasoline first soared above $3, then $4, the United States transferred more than $2 trillion is wealth to oil producing nations, to which OPEC says, "Thank you very much."

However, in recent months, the price of oil has collapsed with the onset of the U.S. and global recessions, and oil now appears destined to test $30 per barrel - - and probably lower levels - - in the year ahead. Oil traded Wednesday down $1.53 to $37.43 per barrel, with regular unleaded gasoline averaging about $1.55-$1.75 nationwide. Incredibly, the stunning turn of events in the oil market means that energy from crude is now 'comfortably priced.'

Still, with three oil shocks (1973-74, 1979-80, 2007-08) having contributed to or directly causing three U.S. recessions, oil's drift back toward 'comfortable' levels re-opens the door for a policy debate: namely, should the U.S. let its economy remain vulnerable to prices swings in this volatile commodity or should it consider a tax to fund alternative energy sources for transportation.

Is a $10 oil tax up ahead?

Economist Peter Dawson said it seems almost unfathomable that the American people and Congress would be willing to ship $100 per barrel (or more) in oil revenue to foreign governments, and not to its own government, but that is precisely the case.