As gas prices continue to increase, Congress continues to blame others while ignoring practical steps to stop the pain Americans are feeling at the pump. To lower gasoline prices and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, we need real solutions to our energy challenges.

As much as I hate to see drilling for oil begin in earnest in the United States, the time has come for us to begin to come up with solutions for obtaining crude oil, other than buying it from foreign countries/companies.

I fear that we are getting close to having the middle class stamped out completely. Due in great part to the war in Iraq, the cost of crude oil has increased to an exorbitant $135.00 per barrel, (it was a mere $3.00 per barrel in 1972) causing the price of virtually everything to rise, also exorbitantly. For those of you that don’t know, a barrel consists of 42 gallons of crude oil, and the nationwide average of gasoline taxes is 45.9 cents per gallon. Who, might I ask has a vested interest in seeing this continue to rise? Might I venture a guess, and say our Commander in Chief?

Anyone who has been to the grocery store lately is also feeling the pinch. Let’s talk about cooking oil, paper towels and milk for a moment. I myself have documented a tremendous rise in the cost of these three items; cheap (store brand) cooking oil, just months ago cost $6.99 a gallon, as did an eight roll pack of Scott paper towels, they both have now reached an all time high of $9.99. This constitutes an increase of 43%. A gallon of milk just months ago cost on average $3.39, it is now nearly $5.00 per gallon in most stores, and more than that in some. It makes sense that the manufacturers would justify their increase to the stores by saying that it now cost more to make these products, and they are forced to pass on these elevated costs on to their vendors, who in turn feel justified to pass this cost on to the consumers, because they are paying more in transportation fees. Though I am quite certain both of these things have occurred, have they really occurred on such a level that a 43% increase can be justified? I think not. I think major manufacturing is gouging the public, and if we need to let a product sit on the shelf, and if it perishable let it rot, so be it. We have got to send a clear message.

How much longer is the American public going to stand up, drop their drawers, grab their ankles, and assume the position? When are we going to say enough is enough? When gas hit $2.00 a gallon, everyone one grumbled and there was a tremendous amount of discontent. Yet, we have now doubled that figure, and the higher it climbs, the more accepting we have become. People assume we have no voice, and can therefore do nothing about it. To a degree, this is true. Anytime Government is involved, our hands are somewhat tied, but we can try to do something about it. SIGN THE PETITION!! http://www.americansolutions.com/actioncenter/petitions/?GuidTec6e43-75a8-445b-aa7b-346a1e096659

I have often heard that when you are caught in a riptide, (the government) you should not try to approach it head on, or it will drag you further out to sea. The rule of thumb is that if you swim perpendicular to the beach, (the left side) you can swim out of the riptide, and make it to shore. Consider this petition the left side. Please, make your voice heard, and let our government know that we are mad as hell, and we want the President and the Congress to do something about this debacle.



Suzanne McClain

1879 Douglastown Road

Maben, MS