by Paul Schingle

Created on: April 27, 2008

Who's to blame? Well, we can start any number of places. The American consumer is a good place to begin. On a per capita basis, Americans consume more fossil fuels than anyone else. So, from the supply/demand argument, gasoline prices need to be higher. It's simple economics. Still, there are other factors. The most prevalent of which is the war in Iraq.

George W. told us one of many lies to get us engaged in Iraq. The lie most relevant to this argument is the lie that the war in Iraq would be a matter of a few weeks work. As the war trudges on for no good reason and with no end in sight, our resources are being funneled in different directions. I'm not complaining. We need to keep the lads who are in Iraq as safe as possible. But, it's a fact nonetheless. Also, other middle eastern countries know they have us over a barrel (literally). As for self-sufficiency, America produces less than half of the crude oil it consumes. We must turn to other nations to fill the void. We're in Iraq. The Iraqis often can't produce the oil they have because of insurgent strikes, out-of-date equipment, etc. So, the other great oil producers of the Mid-East stick it to us. (Remember, this is brought on by our own greed).

Even though costs to get the oil refined and out to our pumps have gone up, and with that the price is inflated to us, the consumers, profits for the big oil companies have gone up as well. Think about that. Big oil is not raising prices just enough to keep up with their own costs, they're throwing in extra profit margin as well. Exxon and their fellows are a major cause for increased prices at the pump. And who's in Exxon's (et al) pocket? Why, George W., the lying Republican president, of course.

Of course I'm oversimplifying. I do believe this current administration shoulders a lot of the blame for our current mess. But, the fact is we, the American people, let them get away with it. Love 'em or hate 'em, Republicans are smart when it comes to money. They'll screw us over for as long as we allow them to. If we want to lower prices, we have to lower demand for the product. On the other end of the spectrum, we have to get the Republicans out of the White House, to show them that their policies don't work and we're fed up.

Who's to blame for the gas prices surge? The short and easy answer is big oil, big business, bought and paid for Republican policies. But, the more accurate answer is we, the American people, are to blame because we let big business continue to run the show.

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