We all complain about the gas prices. Why not? It’s a totally legitimate thing to do right now and for a few days, I thought there was relief ahead. Crude oil is back up to $114 a barrel. I figured America would be able to breathe easy and establish their old day-to-day routines. I was mistaken I guess. The war in Libya has really set things back. There was hope on the horizon before issues flared up over there. Crude oil was beginning to see a decline in price. Obama even said it would only be a matter of “days not weeks.” When has it ever been a matter of days? Nothing comes to mind.
But how many of us actually know what is going on? Americans complain, but the complaints to deeper than what we see on the surface. Here are just a few examples:
Meals on Wheels: Unfortunately with having the fill up their tanks, the exasperating amount paid to do so has caused them to step back and go even more fast food on people. The company has now had to remedy their problem by delivery frozen dinners. “All the convenience of the frozen aisle without the hassle of Wal-Mart weirdos.”
Shop no More: This is one of the biggest ones. I wish people would realize that when gas goes up, everything goes up. Stores are having to charge more money for simple things from milk and bread to shoes and other types of clothing. Wal-Mart, Target, and even the glorious Taco Bell have had to raise their expenses because delivery is getting too much. How do you think local businesses fare? I’m sure you can see for yourself.
Gas Delivery: Just in the last year, the average amount spent on gas delivery to gas stations around the country has rise from $25,000 to $39,000 per year. These owners now have to recover from issues like rent, salaries, and other factors that go into this competition. Needless to say, business is slow.
No more sick, no more fun: In the past 6 months, there has been almost $6 billion in sick leave/vacation days NOT taken. People are working more, stressing out more, seeing family less, and are now seeing the effects taking place. People are going into work sick when they should be home resting. And it’s not just cold sick, it is issues where they could probably see a doctor. People can’t afford to be sick or go on vacation now.
Small and irritating things: Change can be simple or hard. When it comes in the form of getting rid of every day-to-day habit you have acquired, it's hard. The high price of gas has caused people to reformulate their most simple habits in life: savings, entertainment, home improvement costs, eating, and even going to kids sporting events. Missing your kids sporting event?!?! Are you kidding? Lucky for me my high school days saw a price of just over $1.50/gallon.
And so the government continues to turn down domestic energy options. They don’t want to create more jobs for Americans. Why? Well just this year the economy grew at an annual rate of only 1.8%, which is much higher than anticipated. The reason for this is we keep getting squeezed by gas prices and that’s how it will continue to grow. How that works, I don’t know. I’m not an economist but it seems to me that the longer this goes on, the worse we will continue to fall down the ladder of morality.
It is a moral issue too. Trust me. Politicians are corrupt. The leaders of the oil companies are crooked and dishonest.
What does our future hold?
A gun?
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