Oil efficiency and national security. Right now, the United States is extremely dependent on oil for its automobiles. Our dependence on oil has turned the Middle East into one of the most important areas in the world. If our automobiles were 40% efficient rather than 20% efficient, we would not have to import any oil. The global comsequences of our oil inefficiency can reach as far as in the Middle East. Gettting more efficient use of oil is both a technological and a social issue. Who should pay for the research for "getting more efficient use of oil"? The US government? Each respective State, Terrority or Occupied Terrority? Private Industry? Is this an economic question or is it a national security one?