"Rising oil prices are inevitable. It's like we've been enjoying rent control for a very long time and now we find ourselves having to pay market prices and we're complaining."

Standing around the water cooler, what are the latest topics of conversation? Summer time brings ends to sitcoms but the beginning of vacations. Maybe its sports, maybe the weather, or maybe how this week of work is going. One thing that has increasingly been talked about is gas prices. Or I should say the rather somewhat quick increase in price.

Let me first ask this question. Would I rather pay less for gas? Of course. But replace gas with anything and the answer is yes. Food, taxes, rent, utilities, clothes. I would rather pay less and still receive the same quality. However maybe due to those 9 hours of economics or learning the basis of a free market economy I say let the market determine the prices.

America is a land of choices. You chose to buy that big SUV. No one else did, but you. Ok, so gas prices were pretty low then. Have you ever looked at the price of gas over an extended period of time? It is one of the few things that have somehow escaped inflation. To think that would never cross the $2 threshold is foolish. Europeans on average have been spending 4-6 dollars per gallon for years. Throw in the growing economies of the world, noticeably China and India and the demand for oil will only continue to grow. Stop asking yourself when will oil go down, and start asking yourself what am I willing to change.

There are countless ways you can save on gas. Buy a home closer to where you work. Shorter commute, less gas to burn. You really hate gas prices then leave. Venezuela, Russia, Dubai, etc I’m sure are pretty cheap. You might be thinking these are drastic moves, but they are choices an individual can make.

A few more realistic ideas: take mass transportation. Some cities might not have the best systems, however if they start to see more of a demand I guarantee you the service will be expanded to meet customer needs. Its how a free market economy works. Ever heard of carpooling? Cities and government had for years and even developed specific lanes for this benefit. Look at what you drive, there other options: hybrids, small cars, motorcycles, or even a regular bicycle. Now the former, hybrids do have a premium. Well guess what, each year expect to see more makes and models. Economies of scale work by the more being produced the less cost. Soon enough there will be plenty of models to choose from and with right technology and manufacturing processes in place a noticeable decrease in price.

America has long been too dependant on foreign oil. Don’t think one of the reasons we are in Iraq is because of this Texas Tea. Yes there are human rights violations that took place under Hussein and the threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Let me just say this: North Korea and Darfur. We don’t have the presence there when their problems at least in my eyes are greater.

It’s about time more research and hence money is spent on other sources of energy. No matter what there will come a time when oil will cease to exist. Why not be able to further learn how to harness hydrogen or even further develop solar power. Just ideas, one out of hundreds that I’m sure scientists are contemplating. In the year(s) to come I imagine that more government grants will be given to this area than before if our economy truly slows due to the price of oil.

In the end what really annoys me about the people who are having this headache with gas prices are when you look at their lifestyles. There are people who are more than willing to spend 5 bucks a day on Starbucks. How about cut that back and throw it into your gas fund. Eating out everyday, even before gas prices went up I’ve been packing a lunch. If it bothers you so much use coupons for various goods or services. You can justify spending over a $100 on jeans when that amount of cash can transport you for HUNDREDS of miles (100/$3/gallon=33 gallons * 24 miles per gallon = 792 miles. When you’re at a bar and you order your Grey Goose and tonic, how much does that cost? How many of them would it take to equal one gallon? Looking at one expensive gallon.