by Zach Bigalke

Created on: February 14, 2007   Last Updated: April 19, 2007

The United States is doing everything in its power to keep petroleum flowing into its borders. As consumption continues to occur at staggering and alarming rates, the world's quantity of this finite resource plummets. Efforts to keep gasoline prices low in relation to the rest of the world only promote inefficient use of vehicles; tax exemptions given to corporations and individuals for purchasing large trucks and sports-utility vehicles only perpetuate this overuse. And, as resources dwindle, the laws of supply and demand logically lead to an escalation in gasoline prices.

Furthermore, the promotion of American-style economies and living arrangements increase international use. As our castoff vehicles end up in third-world countries, the benefits of improved gas mileage and emissions standards are lost as the vehicles are patched together and put onto uneven roads. Fights for precious petroleum resources lead to infighting and bloodshed. Iraq is feeling the strain of fair petro-dollar distribution, Nigeria has seen continual pipeline ruptures and explosions as lines are tapped for heating and cooking fuel by desperate and indigent citizens, and Venezuela has emerged as a threat to world supply as enigmatic leader Hugo Chavez provokes and is openly provoked by the United States. Overall gluttony on the part of the average American and its example to the rest of the world do more to increase gas prices than any war or enmity among nations.

Still, the United States government has done little to curb this usage. The aforementioned tax incentives and unwillingness to increase base prices continue the dangerous trend that will keep petroleum prices spiraling ever higher. Only by weaning itself off this non-renewable resource and setting a better example for the international community will the United States cease to be a major factor contributing to increasing gas prices.

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