I should go out on the road as a psychic and charge a fee for it, then I would be rich... How hard was it to predict that gas prices would spike by spring? How hard is it to predict that by summer the prices will be obscene unless Bush needs to use it as an excuse that he is a hero? How long will it be before Americans will get over being so selfish themselves, and just tell these companies that continue to jerk us around to kiss their a^^es, because they aren't going to be packing up their gigantic SUVS this summer and driving all over the country?
Who do you blame for the spiking gas/oil prices that seem to always know when to spike? The government? Yes, sure... OPEC? Again, yes... But you know where the
real blame lies? Yes, US. Face it, Americans for the most part are selfish people. We have been conditioned to believe that we can't do without our cars even for a weekend. God forbid some of us actually have to lower ourselves down to get on a bus!
I know people who use their SUVS just to drive to the Dunkin' Donuts that is a block and a half away! I wonder if these people have legs, because I never see them! They don't walk anywhere... And gas and oil companies are so happy for that. They know they can always depend on those lazy people to bring them profit, and they're right.
My motto is, "Be The Change." It means something that is really very profound and true. However, it is something many people will simply not be able to do, especially when it comes to having to change their lifestyles to do it. And that is the real challenge, but a challenge worth taking. You see, it isn't only about money, it is also about working to respect the Earth, and yourself. I am always amazed at how many people live their lives in denial.
People know smoking gives you cancer and other diseases, yet they continue to do it. People know that taking certain drugs will kill you, yet they continue to do it. People know if you eat a certain amount of fat you can get heart disease and other diseases, yet people continue to do it. People know if they go over the limit on their credit cards they will pay for it, yet they just can't help but tune to the home shopping network and buy that new piece of junk that serves no purpose. It is that human behavior ( being creatures of habit and using it to live in denial rather than doing what is right for us), that has made companies in this country and around the world richer beyond their wildest dreams.
If only humans could break that destructive psychological cycle by breaking free from that denial to say they will do it no more, we could save ourselves and this planet very easily. It doesn't really take much. Don't drive the car/Hummer to the corner just to mail a letter... If you can take a bus to your job ( if it hasn't been outsourced to India yet) even three times a week, do it. If you do drive, stay within the speed limit ( it isn't necessary to always drive with your hair on fire.) In other words, think of something besides yourself. And do you know what the wonderful thing about that is? By not thinking about yourself, you are actually helping yourself.
Oh, but I'm not perfect...Though, I don't drive if I can walk and if I do, I don't drive to break the sound barrier. I do take buses anywhere I can. I don't use chemicals in my home that pollute the air. I don't smoke. And yes, I'm a tree hugger, and proud of it. And I teach my child the same, because this is our home, and the only home we will ever have. Why should the oil and gas companies in this country reap such a whirlwind from our laziness, when it is absolutely within our grasp to do better?
Therefore, when Americans are sitting in their SUVS this spring/summer idling their engines waiting an hour to buy gas because they just have to get to the mall to buy more stuff, and are more than willing to pay 2-3 dollars or more a gallon for that gas they are putting in it (even though they will be bi***ing about it the entire way,) don't look too far to place some blame. Seeing it for what it is, is the first step to showing those who think they can get away with taking advantage of us, that we know the score and we aren't going to allow them to get away with it anymore. We all have a choice, and it's time to start making them, no matter how hard they are. If we do, we could then all breathe easier. They know that, and they are betting on us not being able to do it. How about we give them a wake up call?
Remember, "Be the change."
