Rising Gas Prices=Major controversy

I've gotten to the point where the pump stops itself at $50.00 automatically and can't fill my tank all the way. The amount we spend on gas every week adds up really quickly these days as the prices of oil skyrocket in the exporting countries. I decided to do a little research on the matter though. Because the US isn't the only subject to rising prices in oil.

With the rising prices in gas, American's consume much less than they would if we were in a recession and actually had expendable income. We don't go out to eat as much, don't take that trip to the movies, or the mall... A lot of people have jobs that require quite a bit of a commute, and their choice is basically drive, cram onto a crowded bus/train/other public transportation, or walk. Which would you chose?

Oil by the barrel is now over $113 and is about to go up to $120 a barrel. The US dollar's recent gain in value came on the basis of the fed's interest rate cuts - which tend to weaken it. So now we expect that the dollar will fall to this inevitable standard, and it will ultimately become weaker and weaker. Lots of people think that the weakness of the dollar has a bigger impact on all of this than supply and demand, which I think is largely true.

In Maui, Hawaii, gas has averaged at $4 a gallon. California leads the nation with an average of 3.75 a gallon, and the Energy Department believes it could be averaging at $4 a gallon this summer.

In relation to the US dollar, the country that spends the most for gas is the Netherlands at a whopping $6.48 a gallon. The least goes to Venezuela at only .12 cents a gallon. I suppose they don't drive as often.

All in all, I think prices will do what they want to. I won't complain as long as I have so much to be thankful for anyway. Count your blessings people. You have clothes on your back, and a place to call home, family, friends, and tomorrow waiting for ya. :-)