Gas

As Shusli and I were driving from my CNA class yesterday, she pointed out that gas prices here in Coos Bay have increased to over $4 a gallon. Some places are at $4.05, the lowest we saw were $3.97. She was wondering what gas prices were six months ago. So I looked up on a website called Portland Gas Prices and found the six month average. In February of '08 gas prices were at $2.85 on the average in Portland. Today, they are $3.87. That is an increase of $1.02 per gallon in a period of about 3 and a half months. If things continue as they are, gas prices should be at $5 or more a gallon by the end of summer.

I have heard that small businesses are folding now. I haven't read any reports, however. When I left "Duck," their fuel bill went up $80,000 in one year. That is a big hunka change. Truckers on May 1st set up a big strike considering independents are going to go out of business. I don't know how many businesses depend on independent truckers, but if they go out of business because of fuel prices, that means shipping will go sky high and will definitely factor into inflation. With the collapse of the dollar, the collapse of the housing market, the banking crisis, two multi-billion dollar wars, small businesses starting to fold, an impending war with Iran which will again cost billions and billions of dollars, I'd say we live in interesting times.

Shusli stated it very well yesterday as we drove along seeing the gas prices hiked so high (diesel was about $5 a gallon at a few stations): "This is exciting and scary at the same time."

Shusli also mentioned that Airlines, besides some of them already collapsing, are cutting flights because of the high cost of fuel.

The message that comes to me was felt by us all at the salmon bake. We need each other. We depend on each other to survive. Find your community.