If drilling (offshore or ANWR) is not a sure and immediate fix for high oil prices, why else should we drill?

Politicians and consumers alike seem to be fixated on the oil drilling debate (offshore and ANWR both) as if the only potential benefit is price reduction. There is considerable difference between the two sides about how soon, and how much impact drilling will have on oil prices. Like schoolchildren, we seem to be caught in an endless ';yes it will';, ';no it won't'; argument. Are there other reasons to support drilling that we can agree upon that make good sense?If drilling (offshore or ANWR) is not a sure and immediate fix for high oil prices, why else should we drill?
It would be a nice ';gift'; to the oil industry from republicans, to ensure the continued financial support that their party has enjoyed so long.

acne scars