Gas boycott--fuel for thought

I have warm memories of 60-cent per gallon gasoline prices, but they are fading rapidly. Louisiana motorists are shaking their heads in disgust, as gas pumps gobble-up $20 bills like it were Zapps Potato Chips.

It is hard to believe it wasn’t all that long ago we were speaking out against the thought of $1 a gallon gasoline. Boy, do I miss those days.

Each time I pulled up to the pumps in recent weeks, I have noticed the gasoline prices have increased almost a nickel a gallon in between my fill-ups. I am thinking if I can slowdown my gasoline dependency, I might be able to keep the cable TV.

Well, things aren’t really that bad . . . not yet! However, it is beginning to look like us common folks will not be able to afford the important things in life - - like gasoline, crawfish, and road trips.

Americans have always had a love affair with automobiles, and certainly this romance is no more torrid than in south Louisiana where miles of sunny, wide-open country roads invite motorists to discover their lure. With all this beautiful weather we are experiencing, well, sitting idle just isn’t much of an option.

Some private industry analysts have said that American motorists should brace for retail gasoline prices of at least $3.50 a gallon, and possibly as high as $4.00 or $4.50 a gallon.

Ouch! $4.50 a gallon!

Consumers are talking about changing their transportation habits. I know my decision in purchasing of a heavier, much safer vehicle is starting to make a huge difference in what activities my family and I will participate in.

The tightened fuel supply is attributed partly to the recent announcement by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that it will cut oil production to boost prices.

I got several dozen emails over the past few weeks from friends all across the United States. Each e-mail was urging participation in a boycott of gasoline. Its organizers called them the Massive Gas Attack. But, I have to question their effectiveness.

Each identifies different days for the event. Most suggest filling up your automobiles prior to that date so you will not need gasoline that day. Well, if that is the case, have we accomplished anything?

The fact of the matter is, we as a nation must change our lifestyles. We must become less dependant on things we cannot control. The production of gasoline is a perfect example.

Hey, I admit, I am just as bad as the next guy is. Yes it is true, I have a gas guzzling SUV and you got me, I have been known to pour gasoline on ant piles.

The bottom line is, we are in this predicament because we put ourselves there. Our only remedy is to change our lifestyles.

A one-day boycott simply will not cut it.