by G.L.F. Gammey

Created on: May 24, 2008   Last Updated: May 28, 2008

Gas prices in America have been rising steadily and may continue to rise if nothing is done to fix the situation. My family has complained as much as anyone else each time the gas price rises. However, now we look back and the very first time we complained when the price of gasoline rose doesn't seem as high and unmanageable as it does now. So what will happen if the price of gas reaches $6.00 per gallon? Will we wish for the $4.00 per gallon price?

There is always something we need to complain about. Our society doesn't allow us to be and remain satisfied. We are a greedy nation full of over consumption.

Just recently we were in need of a new vehicle, preferably one big enough to haul leaves and junk to the dump. We thought about the gas prices and looked at some economical vehicles but none of them really suited our needs so we went with the 2004 Chevy Silverado four wheel drive truck. We are very happy with our decision. We also own a 2003 two door Chevy Monte Carlo SS.

Though, this truck takes a lot of money to fill up, our main concern isn't the price of gas, but the price of insurance and car payment on both vehicles which amounts to as much as our house mortgage. In making our decision on which vehicle to purchase, we decided that the price of gasoline shouldn't be the sole deciding factor but are our basic needs being met?

Gas prices are high and I have no doubt they'll continue to increase but we should consider ourselves fortunate because what we pay for gas is considerably lower than the prices in other countries.

For example, Norway is currently paying $10.09 per gallon; the Netherlands is paying $10.04 per gallon; Belgium is paying $9.59 per gallon; the United Kingdom is paying $9.31 per gallon; Italy is paying $9.13 per gallon; Portugal is paying $9.13 per gallon; France is paying $8.77 per gallon; Germany is paying $8.72 per gallon; Poland is paying $8.22 per gallon; Spain is paying $8.17 per gallon; Russia is paying $3.77 per gallon; Japan is paying $5.41 per gallon; Kazakhstan is paying $3.27 per gallon; China is paying $2.73 per gallon; Mexico is paying $2.47 per gallon; Venezuela is paying $0.12 per gallon; Brazil is paying $6.36 per gallon; Nigeria is paying $2.68 per gallon; Saudi Arabia is paying $0.55 per gallon; and Iran is paying $0.50 per gallon.

Therefore, while we sit around complaining about paying $4.00 per gallon at the pump, we should keep in mind that others are paying a lot more than we are. However, as to those countries that

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