current gas prices


Most of us who have to suffer at the pump every day look at current gas prices and think about the effects that it has on our pockets. However, the effects of current gas prices, when analyzed a bit further, go way beyond just raiding our pockets while at the pump. It has become evident through this current gas prices debacle that we have created a lifestyle that is completely dependant on something that we had no control over—crude oil. From the moment we wake up to the time that we close our eyes at night it is oil that makes whatever happened in between possible.

Many of us do not realize that we are able to eat and even secure employment thanks to this most volatile natural resource. Most of us have to drive to the grocery store past the current gas prices signs to get all the food items for the week and these stores are usually relatively far from our homes. Without access to gasoline we would not be able to make it to the grocery store and barring having a garden and a cow in the backyard it would be very difficult to procure nourishment. Although, due to the current gas prices, some people have begun to ride their bikes to the grocery store, current gas prices have not gotten to the point where it is a huge problem to drive to the grocery store but this yet remains to be seen especially if the projected price of $10 per gallon by 2010 stands to be true.

When it comes to securing employment current gas prices have a big say in this too. In the past, there were a lot of people that, even though had a long commute, could afford to do so, because it made financial sense. However, current gas prices have decreased the range (in terms of distance) of employment for most of us. This means that current gas prices have greatly decreased our ability to make money—our ability to survive. Current gas prices are not only raiding our pockets but are also decreasing our stream of income. The higher they go the more we get squeezed from both fronts. If something is not done soon, we might all see each other doing things we never though we were capable of.