[mysterio]

I actually have a grad degree. I work in research. I like my job. But I'm not rich. I think if all of us who work in basic research were to quit our jobs to get better paying ones so we can pay extreme prices for energy, the country might be a bit worse off.

I don't care about being a millionaire. But a lot of us are feeling the pinch, and it bothers me that our country refuses to pursue energy independence.

Anyway, I presented the example because a large percentage of our GDP is people going out and buying stuff. If a lot of people in my income range stop going out and making discretionary purchases, I would guess the effects will be widespread.

[Sunnyflorida]

“it bothers me that our country refuses to pursue energy independence. “

Me too. It bugs the crap out of me. It bugged me 20 years ago. I saw this coming for a long time.

[P-40]

We are pursuing energy independence on a scale I never thought possible. It just does not make the nightly news.

[RSmithOpt]

I don't like the hperinfaltion for gas neither, but what worries me most in this country are the families struggling who make $69k / year gross and are trying to pay for a home.

Let's not forget the goobermint at all levels will raise our taxes after Nov. 08 to make up the lost revenues of poor national energy policies.

The economic effects of gas/food prices are already seriously beginning to affect other areas of the economy as wages (real buying power) is going negative from all the gains in 2006 have been wiped out since 3rd qtr 2007...and this folks, is what is not being covered in the news.