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I`m about to reveal to you the ugly truth about high gas prices.

Many of you reading this aren`t going to like it. But here it is:

High gas prices are the fault of the American public. That`s right. It`s our fault. Yours and mine.

It`s not the fault of the government. It`s not the fault of the oil industry. It`s not the fault of the war in Iraq.

We`re pointing fingers at all the wrong suspects, when we should be pointing the finger directly at ourselves.

So, how are high gas prices our fault?

Because of our love affair with our automobiles. I don`t know if it`s selfishness, stubbornness, stupidity or what. But we simply will not stop driving our cars.

Our gas consumption has risen by 45 percent over the last half-century. We consume 20 million barrels of oil a day.

And it`s a really a shame, because we have so many viable options available to us including carpooling, mass transit, hybrid vehicles, bicyles, scooters, and walking.

Now if you believe the news reports, mass transit ridership has increased nationwide. That`s a bunch of hogwash!

How do I know? Because, there`s nothing Washington enjoys doing more than tooting its own horn.

Besides, have you heard any real, concrete numbers coming out of Washington, that would suggest ridership on mass transit has increased to a point that`s making a difference?

I certainly haven`t. I`m not saying mass transit ridership hasn`t increased a little. I`m not saying that at all. What I`m saying is, the numbers are so small, they`re negligible.

To be fair, it`s not just the fact Americans won`t park their cars that`s driving up the cost of oil. It goes much deeper than that.

Gasoline prices are climbing largely because oil prices have reached record levels, not adjusted for inflation. Oil, which recently closed at $68.00 a barrel, accounts for about half the cost of gasoline.

Also boosting the cost of gasoline has been the conversion from additive MTBE to ethanol in many gasoline blends. Although ethanol production has been ramping up, there are concerns that there won`t be enough ethanol at the right place and the right time.

In closing, you`d better fasten your seatbelt (no pun intended), because things are going to get a lot worse, before they get better!

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It`s too difficult to point the finger at yourself. It`s much easier to blame someone or something else. In all seriousness, I think there are so many facets to this problem that there likely isn`t one reason for fuel costs.

Half of me want the price of fuel to sky rocket beyond $6 a gallon. You might wonder why half of me would want this. You might think I am crazy. But in truth, the higher the fuel price goes, the more likely alternative fuel sources will be recognized. The more likely solar, water, and wind power will be utilized. We have some great inventors in USA. It`s a shame that they don`t get the support they deserve. But I guess it`s easier to use what works... Cheap Oil.


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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

Oh, the breadth of blame on this one is so wide, it would be impossible to know where to start.

But yes, we have a lot to do with it.

Gas prices are not high - no blame for anybody.  What is the "high" price?  $2 per gallon?  $3 per gallon?  $5? 

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James Lindon, Ph.D. Patent Attorney
Lindon & Lindon, LLC
Cleveland, Ohio
Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Pharmacy Law, Litigation
[this is not legal advice - provided for discussion only]
Intellectual Property for the Individual and Small Business: Identify, Protect, Enforce, Defend.
"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."
http://www.LindonLaw.com

There is some truth to your opinion.  However, I live in the Midwest or the Great Plains (whatever you want to call it) and we don`t have the option of mass transit or public transportation.  The closest "city" to where I live is 99 miles away.  The ONLY way to get where you need to go is to drive.  Sure there are hybrid`s out there, but they are expensive.  If you live in that part of the country you have no choice but to drive.  So I think there are many things that Washington can do to help us out, but why would they.  The oil companies and Washington are in each other`s pockets. 

People have been saying for years that it is our fault because we consume so much.  Many people don`t have that option. 

Please.....Washington...help us!!  SOMEONE help us!!

$4 per gallon?  What is the "correct" price?

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James Lindon, Ph.D. Patent Attorney
Lindon & Lindon, LLC
Cleveland, Ohio
Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Pharmacy Law, Litigation
[this is not legal advice - provided for discussion only]
Intellectual Property for the Individual and Small Business: Identify, Protect, Enforce, Defend.
"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."
http://www.LindonLaw.com

It was nearing $4 here and people still drive their hummers.

Let`s all blame California for the problem!

Don`t blame me.  I bike to work about 3 times a week.  Save on gas, health care, gym membership, workout time etc...The two days I drive, I have evening meetings to attend, and wouldn`t always be able to take a shower if I biked home.

I was in solar energy business, but few Americans in my town are willing to invest in a solar system.


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The truth is crude oil prices have little to do with the price we pay for a gallon of gasoline at the pump.  The main forces driving the pump price are our inability to refine crude oil and our own gluttony.  We are using gasoline and home heating oil at a faster pace than our refineries can refine the crude oil coming in.  That’s why we are now importing crude oil that has already been refined into gasoline. 

Here’s something else to consider.  No new refineries have been built in this country in over thirty years.  Yet our fuel oil consumption has skyrocketed.  Why weren’t new refineries built?  Simple.  No one wanted a refinery built in their neighborhood.  So, yes, we are to blame.  

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The older we get, the more excuses we make for not chasing after our dreams. But truth is, goals are attainable at any age.