In one of the worst cases of price gouging (legalized extortion) ever seen in America, in less than 30 days our gas prices have gone up by 45 cents which is an increase of 1.5 cents per day!
Where is our indignation? Where are the protests? Why aren't we seeing people marching in the streets about the injustice and inequity to the poor and oppressed members of our society? Why isn't the ACLU speaking out about those who are being pushed farther into poverty because of these unfair pricing practices?
Where are the passionate speeches about economic damages and the wiping out all of our incomes? Why aren't students making banners and having campus rallies about the fact they can now barely afford to live off campus or take a road trip, or go on a date?
Finally, where is the outrage and congressional action on our gasoline prices? In one month, with no possible justification other than pure and unadulterated greed on the part of the oil companies, we have seen the price of gasoline increase by nearly +30%!!!
Don't we understand the simply preposterous figure that a +30% increase in less than 30 days represents? Without a doubt, as has happened in the past we will continue to hear the same poor excuses from the oil companies but we all know the truth. This has nothing to do with weather, it has nothing to do with the price of crude oil. It is all about $$.
+30% in 30 days. Could a grocery store get away with this type of inflation? What about car dealers, furniture stores, any type of business that wants to stay in business? Only a monopoly could get away with this type of price gouging!
It is hard to understand why our elected officials are not screaming about the negative expense burden that that gasoline prices are putting on every man, woman and child in San Diego and everyone living in the U.S.
To make matters worse, we are hearing "reports" that we are going to experience even higher gas prices over the next 30 days and $5.00 is rumored as the top price we can endure!
Do we need more fuel-efficient vehicles? YES! Should we currently have 50 hybrid vehicles available for purchase instead of 5? YES! Should every truck and SUV be required to average 28 MPG instead on 12 MPG? YES! But none of these facts excuse the current gas pricing practices of the oil companies which are not attached to any supply & demand model...and why does diesel now cost more than gas?
In the Academy Award winning movie: NETWORK, Peter Finch played the "mad prophet of the airwaves", asking people to "get up right now" and go to their windows and doors and yell: "I am mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore."
We need to take this same approach about our gasoline prices. This is an issue that negatively effects every single person (excluding oil company executives) and what better issue to unite every individual living in America today, regardless of race, gender, income, social status or sexual preference?
We must mobilize and speak out. We must demand answers from our elected officials on why it is acceptable for the gas companies to use their monopolistic control of gasoline distribution and oil refining to garner obscene profit margins from the pocketbooks of anyone who owns a car or truck.
So, get mad as hell, and do something about it. You need to give our U.S. Senators Ms. Feinstein and Ms. Boxer, the opportunity to do something positive for their California constituents which is truly bi-partisan.
You need to call and write to your congressperson and demand action (by the way, I didn't hear any of the candidates seeking Duke Cunningham's congressional position say one word about this important issue). Contact the Governor and your State Senator.
In other words, as they say at every type of sporting event: MAKE SOME NOISE!! To do otherwise only perpetuates the problem.
