Some analysts say that increased demand for oil in surging economies like China's is driving up the price. Others point to constant instability in the MIddle East as the reason prices keep edging upward. I say it's something else. Instead of blaming external factors, I'm going to point the finger at me. It's MY willingness to pay whatever the hell they post on that plastic back-lit price board that keeps the price climbing. I learned that back when I was 14 years old. It's called the law of supply and demand. When demand is high, prices climb. Pretty basic principle, really. About as basic as Economic Theory gets. The astronomical rise in gas prices, while frustrating, has not dissuaded enough Americans, myself included, to modify driving habits accordingly. If demand were to fall off, the price of gas would stop rising. So what we have here is evidence of an economy that is so dependent on oil - FOREIGN oil, I should add - it simply cannot combat rising gas prices with a decrease in gas usage. Instead, we force ourselves to make cuts in other areas. I can do without cheese on my Whopper, but I can't drive without gas in my tank.
They'll keep jacking those prices sky high. And we'll keep paying them because we have to. We need to. Our way of life demands that we get from one place to another quite often. And nearly all modes of modern transportation - from the massive distribution network of semi-truck trailers to airline travel to public buses to our own personal pods of necessity and luxury - require oil. What are we going to do? Stop going to work? I'm not backing down from high gas prices. I'm going to show those bastards by driving around my block over and over and over again. Yeah. That'll make me feel better. And when I'm done filling up for the third time I'm going to go make myself a grilled cheese sandwich - because that'll be about all I'll be able to afford with what I'll have left.
If gas prices get any higher, I'm going to start a campaign to bring back the horse. Yeah - just like the Wild West, baby. We can keep the paved streets and traffic stops and toll booths - but everybody will be cruising around on their own horse. Gas up with hay, my friends. Now that's what I'm talking about. Who's with me?
[CLICK ON HEADER FOR A LITTLE DITTY ON THE ESCALATING PRICE OF GAS - THANKS PETER!]
2 comments:
For me in CT, we can get the GOOD shit for 3 bucks. If gas was like pot, you'd use less of the good shit because it was better and stronger. But how would I know of such things??
Hope you're sitting down. I just paid $3.31 at Thorton's, I'm still in shock. When will this end, as of today my vehicle will be used for back and forth to work only. Back to bikes and public transportation.
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