Its The Gas Prices Stupid

K L Marsala

“Help! I can’t afford to fill my tank anymore!” This is becoming the cry of the American driver and the rising costs of fuel are distressing every facet of our economy. With prices soaring at our pumps, choosing between a gallon of petrol and a gallon of milk is fast becoming a household’s budget dilemma. When it comes to deciding whether we want to drive a gas-guzzler or buy a carton of milk- the milk will win every time. Gas just doesn’t soak up the flavor of our Coco Krispies the way milk does.

Certainly, overall, America’s gas prices are much less than that of Europe… but we’re spoiled and used to having our gas guzzling SUV’s and monster 4x4’s. The problem with the rising costs of our energy sources isn’t just about what drizzles down our auto tanks and burns carbon crap into our air- its how the pricing of energy begins to inflict pain in almost every venue of our lives.

Those big semi-trucks that deliver our groceries to our local supermarket are feeling the gasoline pinch too, this is being reflected at our stores by the daily increase of necessities and food items. The basics such as clothing, food, cooling and heating of our homes are headed for trouble. Inflation has been rising for about a year now, and as of yet we aren’t headed down the path of the 1970’s, but if action and relief aren’t administered to help deter the rising costs of fuel, we could be headed towards an ugly summer and a dreadful year.

Could a recession be on the horizon if the broad energy bill President Bush spoke of isn’t put into action immediately? The energy bill put forth by Bush includes $8.1 billion in tax breaks, mostly for energy companies, and would open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska (ANWRA) to oil development, bringing with it relief at the pump and the following domino effect of the lowering prices of consumer goods. The Democrats by majority aren’t big proponents of the ANWRA development. However, the only offerings coming from the Democrats so far has been just looking for alternative fuels to be our answer, but implementing such takes time…something many pocketbooks don’t have.

While most economist leave out the mathematical equations of how America’s economy is doing in their addition and subtraction game (while playing with our inflation numbers) it still feels very real to The Jones’, The Gomez’s, The Slotsky’s and The O’Doul’s family’s down any neighborhood street, USA. The Feds, the egg headed Economists and the far removed from reality Politicians can play verbal games all day with how they want to dress up our economy… but frankly sitting here at the bottom of the economic numbers it is iniquitous.

I think America is tired of politics. Talk to anyone sitting at Joes Bar and Grill on a Friday night. As they try to unwind from a weeks long grinding to the bone workweek, they’ve had it with being tossed around as if they are pawns in the game of American politics. Most don’t give a rat’s behind about whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian or Independent politician. Collectively we all have come to the place where we have been deceived so much that the only thing real is the fact that our wallets are becoming slimmer and slimmer. Retirement for many has become highly questionable. Sending our kids to college is becoming the number one reason dads who are heads of their households are going bald…it’s called financial stress. Most wives and moms no longer can stay at home, they’re being force to go to work just to make ends meet. Young married couples who dreamed of purchasing a starter home within the first five years of their marriage are kissing those dreams good bye. Who can afford a starter home of 900 sq ft. that runs well over 250,000 and isn’t located in the best area of town anymore?

Let’s not forget whilst we are whining about our economy to make mention of the soaring credit debt. Most families have to utilize their credit cards to pay for gasoline and groceries, because they are living from paycheck to paycheck. Americans are in debt and claiming bankruptcy at alarming rates-, this isn’t good for anybody.

Will the bottom drop out again? Who knows. The pendulum always swings back and balance is regained. I do believe its time for the Washington pack to stop playing with the American workers’ dollars though. Spending must come under control, we need to begin drilling in Alaska, we need to implement alternative fuels, and we need to stop playing politics with our land and our people.

It’s way past time for Washington to grow up… the American people aren’t a part of Washington’s Political Economic Roulette Wheel, nor do we want to be. We need politicians who really care about the interests of those who put them in office and not the vying for saint-hooded position of I’m right you’re wrong-shut up sit down bullying game that takes place amongst both sides of the political fence. Just do your jobs and take care of the fuel pricing…we’ll fall in line and do our part too, even if it means giving up my Dodge 4x4.