Yes it's all just rhetoric.
Who here has any inkling of what the world would like like the day after everyone became peak oil aware?

I'll tell you what won't happen.
Everyone will immediately begin to conserve.
There won't be any runs on gas stations, banks or food outlets.
Business will continue business as usual, they will look for and immediately purchase alternative energy supplies.

There will be plenty of alternative energy machines for everyone.
There will be no hoarding or panic.
The economy will remain stable, consumer goods will remain in good supply and price stable.
Governments will be lauded for their honesty.

I'll give you a hint of what will happen though.
Those able to, will do what every one of us on TOD who has accepted the consequences of peak oil, has been doing over the last few years.

If everyone all of a sudden began their own mitigation attempts like we have...............

That is why governments don't come clean. What have they to gain? Nothing in the short term and the long term is not a concern to them.

It is best to dig the well before you are thirsty.