[newgeezer]

It's because we can't use less. We have no choice, and Big Oil knows it.</sarcasm>

[GBA]

The laws of supply and demand will work.

[VRWCmember]

Economic Ignorance On Display. Demand is not affected by price. Demand is the relationship between price and quantity demanded, so it reflects the quantity demanded at various prices. When demand shrinks or grows, it does so at all prices. In other words, if demand increases, the quantity demanded at every price increases. Therefore, a reaction to changing prices is simply a movement up or down the demand curve.

There are several factors that influence demand, such as (1) the number of buyers/consumers in the market, (2) changes in tastes and preferences or style, (3) price and availability of substitute or complimentary goods in the market, (4) changes in income and/or wealth that cause a shift in consumption choices, (5) seasonal considerations that influence consumption choices, (6) demographics, and other miscellaneous factors like regulation, taxation, etc that can influence consumption choices. These factors interact to cause consumption to increase or decrease and thus influence the quantity demanded at all prices.

[Red Badger]

If ya gotta go, ya gotta go!...........$5.00 per gallon by Labor day?.......

[BenLurkin]

related story: http://www.avpress.com/n/23/0623_s16.hts

[conservativehusker]

The Governor here in Nebraska just announced our gas tax will rise 1 cent /gallon because we have been using less her in the state and they need to make up for the shortfall of taxes...

[GingisK]

The high gas prices just didn't seem to make my daily commute any shorter. Those prices didn't make Home Depot or Handy Hardware pack up and move closer to my home. I don't see anyone rushing out to build a commuter railroad system between my house and everywhere I need to go.

Just how is price supposed to affect the American infrastructure?

[thackney]

but they will still be pumping more gasoline than they did in 2005, extending a 23-year streak of rising gasoline demand in the world's biggest oil consumer.

In 2005 we used less gasoline as a nation than we did in 2004. The first quarter 2006 values are less than first quarter 2004.

U.S. Motor Gasoline Supplied, EIA

[mysterio]

Additionally, Exxon is still at the top of the pension deficit list, despite record profits. That's more significant, IMHO.

[festus]

Think demands up just wait till next month when I drive a few thousand miles getting 8 mpg purely for the hell of it ( RV towing ).

[SamAdams76]

Gas is going to eventually cost $10 a gallon. This will mean that we will pay between $150 and $200 on average to fill out tanks.

Look for gas siphoning crimes to increase.

[oceanview]

there are (will be) changes. what is happening here, shows us that americans are unwilling to change their behavior (so long as their credit cards still work). they won't drive less. but what they will do, over time, is buy vehicles which will allow them to continue their current driving habits and distances, while using less gasoline. hybrid sales are going to increase dramatically, and plug in hybrids are going to emerge.