Gas industry pricing is going up and fast
Gas prices and war. It’s two of the things many Americans are talking about. It’s also two things most Americans can’t do anything about.
Just as we are left awaiting a probable military strike against Iraq, U.S. citizens are left to watch prices at the gas pump rise virtually every time we drive past a gas station. The first reaction is to wonder why. That reaction is bolstered by the fact AAA has come out and said there is nothing to warrant an increase in the gas prices.
The petroleum industry has blamed Middle East tension and a strike in Venezuela that has crippled that nation’s petroleum industry as reasons for the sudden surge. But it doesn’t take much investigative reporting to realize price fixing may be in the works.
In just two weeks time, the price of gas has risen 13 cents. That brings the national average to $1.63 a gallon — the highest since June of 2001.
Here in McMinnville, we are feeling the full force of higher gas prices as we are right at the national average in terms of price per gallon. Paying that much for a gallon of gas can certainly make a difference when it comes to household budgets and trying to make ends meet.
More than anything, it appears the gasoline industry needs to show some restraint. The economy is less than robust, the nation is on the verge of war, and gas companies appear to be viewing the whole situation as a way to make more money. That’s not right.
Americans have to buy gas. With our lifestyles so dependent on automobiles and quick transportation, gasoline has become a necessity similar to heat and food.
We must have gas so we can get to work and keep our jobs. And the U.S. oil industry is fully aware of this.
That’s why it immediately draws attention when an organization such as AAA is willing to come out and say the recent gas hikes are approaching price gouging levels. AAA is the nation’s largest auto club with more than 44 million members.
We must take these allegations seriously and remember these oil companies should not unfairly profit from a national emergency.
In this time of world troubles and the possibility of war very likely in the coming days, or weeks, we need to stick together as Americans. We need to unite and show support for our government, our president, and our soldiers who are on the verge of action.
We don’t need a divisive force here at home waiting on this opportunity to milk more money from each and every one of us at the gas pumps.