The Wake

We’re all waiting. It’s not a question of if, but when. Soon, $3 will be the standard for a gallon of regular-grade gasoline. The tempers of drivers will no doubt be just as explosive as the gasoline itself. Why don’t those jerks in Washington do something? Cheap gas is a God-given right. Exactly how much have prices really “sky-rocketed”? What role does the government play? What is the holistic effect of burning mass amounts of fossil fuel? Why are gas prices rising? More importantly, is that so bad?

One cause of rising prices at the pump that is often overlooked by the media and politicians is inflation. According to the Department of Energy, the average price for a gallon of “regular” in Minnesota on Aug. 29 was $2.55. This seems like lot compared with a gallon of gas ringing up in 1980 at $1.25. Adjusted for inflation, that same gallon “should” cost $3.07 today. Let me assure you, you are not being gouged—your dollars just aren’t worth as much anymore.

Television and radio newscasters announce daily where the cheapest station can be found so that we can all burn a gallon of gas to go there and save 7 cents. Let me tell you a station where it’s much higher—Amsterdam. A gallon in Amsterdam costs nearly 6 euros, which converts to $7.40.

Let’s not forget that all costs cannot be handled with a debit card; the environmental and political costs of the stinky stuff are more difficult to measure. Burning gasoline is highly toxic, as proven by almost-daily smog alerts in Mexico City.

Most vehicles produce several times their weight in greenhouse gasses, mainly in the forms of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane. Scientific evidence proves that these gasses are negatively affecting the earth’s climate, largely through global warming. Of course, if you have money you can always fund an experiment to suggest otherwise, like the scientists funded by oil companies that produce results in denial of global warming.

The truth is, these gases are better off in the ground.

Politically, gas makes us dependent on other nations. How many countries must we rely on to keep the oil flowin’? Gasoline money inevitably ends up in the pockets of despots, including those in Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, our dependency on oil leaves us vulnerable to a critical terrorist attack. According to the aptly named Committee on the Present Danger, all it would take is one well-designed attack to potentially send oil to well over $100 a barrel and devastate the world’s economy. Right now, oil costs roughly $65 a barrel. If that attack were to happen, you will miss the $3-a-gallon days.

There has to be an end to the petroleum-based madness. There will be a day when we can no longer supply our demands. The notion of this approaching problem is not a pleasant one, as it concerns gasoline but also plastics, fertilizers and a slew of other highly useful products. But dry up it will, for gas is a luxury. Can’t afford it? Then don’t try to.

Trade in the SUV and opt for carpooling or the more economical route of public transportation. Better yet, ditch the car completely. Walk. Ride a bike. Save yourself the gas money, insurance money, time, stress, road rage and other hidden costs of driving.

Should you get your wish and the government step in and wave a magic wand to lower gas prices, you still wouldn’t be saving any money. We’ll be paying for it in taxes. And by we, I mean everybody: drivers and non-drivers, SUV and electric-car owners, rich and poor. Let’s raise the tax to $1 a gallon, lower other taxes, and let gasoline truly fuel our economy. In the meantime, all we can do is complain and prepare for the inevitable future energy crisis. When the oil wells run dry, no amount of money will be enough to pay for another trip to the gas station.