I saw it and I am afraid to blink, Corona CA

I saw it and I am afraid to blink, Corona CA

On my way home today, I saw it and could not believe my eyes...I am afraid if I blink it might change again.

Didn't I fill up my tank two days ago and the price was close to $3.50??? Am I getting senile in my old age?? Has the price really gone up that much this week?? Or could it be that I need a new pair of glasses??? The highest gas price in our local area was found at a Mobil gas station in West Covina, on Friday at $4.69 a gallon. That is right...you read it correctly...at $4.69 a gallon (this is definitely an example of price gouging).

Unemployment is still high. Military contractors and commercial manufacturers are still laying off workers. Everyone seems to be counting their pennies. Those who are on a budget can barely make it as it is. Elderly are having to make the decision daily whether to purchase food or medicine.

Majority of us have lost equity on our investments whether it be stocks, 401k or our homes. Savings are dwindling daily. Homeowners are having to make the dreaded decision to default on their payments or to forgo on essentials such as food and clothing.

Obama was voted into office on the platform of a change we can believe in, that we can do it. Two years later, many are still suffering, out of a job and still struggling. We are seeing cuts everywhere. It is funny how Social services and Education are usually the first places to be put on the chopping block. I am not here to blame anyone. Just merely making an observation...

Where is the economic recovery? Last month's new unemployment claims was still close to 400,000. Jobs are still scarce. People want to work, but can't find work. A Silicon Valley company, BAE Systems, sent out another 130 WARN notices last Thrusday. This is the third cut for this military contract company within this past year. BAE is also cutting its UK work force by 1300 as announced last week. Borders is another example of companies who are shutting its doors. The economy is still very soft and now we have to deal with the turmoil in Egypt and Libya. It seems like we took one step forward and three steps backward.

High price of oil brings uncertainty to the economy. Higher transportation costs raises the cost of living.

There is talk in the media of gas prices reaching $5 dollars a gallon by the Summer. This is one time that I really hope the media is wrong. Oil prices peaked Thursday at over $103 dollars a barrel. Gas prices are already at the highest level ever for this time of year. What is going to happen if turmoil spreads past Libya and continues throughout the Middle East. People are saying that this is probably the greatest threat to the global oil supply since the Persian Gulf War.

Why are we still so dependent on other country's oil resources? When we purchase Libya's oil are we not supporting their causes? What happened to democracy? At some time, this vicious cycle has got to stop. We should look to our own resources. We need to be more independent. Lets put more research into solar power and wind energy.

What are your thoughts?