Elephant In Exile

We have control:

Yesterday, gas prices in DC rose about $0.30 in one day. The local news media went into frenzy mode and folks starting whining like they had to pay for oxygen. Despite the media panic mongering, we need to keep in mind that unlike the folks suffering in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana, the rest of us, in large part, have a degree of control over the gas situation.

For example, on 9/11 a gas station back by my family raised the price of gas to $5.00 a gallon. All the local residents were appalled and rather then complain, or suck it up and pay, they decided to do something about it. They went to other gas stations and when the crisis was over, they continued to shun this local station. It went out of business.

Even with the growing gas crisis here, we need to keep perspective. We can take measures to help mitigate the impact of the price spike in the short term. First, seek out the best price in your area. Patronize that station and shun any station whose prices are out line with the local average. Second, drive less and or car pool where possible. I know that's not as easy as it may be in a large city like DC (where mass transit is an option), but talk to the folks in your office, you may be surprised. Finally combine trips so save on gas. Oh yeah, slow down and drive the Carolla instead of the Bronco for a week.

The hurricane destabilized the markets and that destabilization will be temporary. Like ripples in a pond, the effects of Katrina will spread and bounce around for a while, but things will settle down. Be a smart shopper and shun the gougers.

Looking at the devastation in the South, the rest of us don't have anything to complain about.

Also remember that back in the 1970s, a good portion of the gas shortage was caused by people topping off their tanks every few days to try to stay ahead of rising gas prices. Fear of a gas shortage and media hype actually helped prolong the problem.