This morning I noticed gas priced at a quiet $2.98 for regular unleaded and it made me wonder about everything being associated with a gas price. We have all been subject to higher gas prices for the last 12 months, reaching a record high of over $4.00 and causing us to rethink where we drive, what car to purchase next and most importantly where the oil is coming from. In a study I read a few months ago it recorded how much gas the country consumed in the first three quarters of ’09 compared to ’08 and concluded that we were using far less gas, changing our driving habits, and purchasing more efficient vehicles. With that being said, it was apparent to me that gas could not continue to increase in price with demand being lower than the previous year. I was wrong, the price continued to increase until now.
In the last 4 weeks the prices started to decline noticeably, the market tanked, and the government signed a $700,000,000,000 bailout (don’t get me started). My take on gas prices is an obvious one, that many people made a ton of money because of pure economic uncertainty and used oil, a natural resource, as the culprit. Clearly we need to make better choices in order to maintain a balance between the human race and the environment, this was a wake-up call, but at what expense?
The inflated gas prices damaged many businesses in several aspects of production and transportation. Moreover it increased prices of common goods and caused consumers to make choices. Was this all necessary?
It remains to be seen how this mess caused by gas prices may change after the election, until then we can only be hopeful it doesn’t get any worse. Last night I did some math and determined every man, woman and child in the world would receive $104 from the $7 billion issued last week and perhaps that would make a greater difference (more selfishly that translates to $2292 for every member of the US population).
I personally don’t know how to Macgyver situations like the one we are in, other than using less fuel and spreading the word on being GREEN. And my knowledge of politics and economic terminology is rather limited as described above. So for now, fill you tank and smile with a sigh of relief, don’t change back into your Nascar driving ways, continue to leave your Hummer at home and get more exercise.
SHOUTOUT: I’m looking for more work.
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