It's not OPEC. We've been done in by our own greed.
It's 'cheaper' to outsource helpdesks and the like to India.
Walmart, and just about every other company out there, has their products made in China - it's cheaper they say.
The problem is, between China and India they have 1/3 of the world's population and 20 years ago they were living like third world countries and loved their bicycles and lack of electricity. Well, maybe not loved. Now with all the money we're sending them their standing of living is increasing - they want cars, need trucks, factories, lights, etc. Demand for oil is increasing and there is no equivalent increase in supply - so the price goes up.
I came of age in the 70s when the mantra was we'd run out of gas by the turn of the century. I remember well economical cars and think most of today's cars are our own fault - non-hybrid Honda Civics once got 45 to 50 MPG...now 31 is considered good
I'd buy a more efficient car if they made one!
I got my first car in the early 80s when gas was at an all time high. Back then a gallon of gas was about 50% of an hour's pay at minimum wage - and it's just about there again. I've always tried to choose the most economical car for my needs, combine trips, etc.
I even got a more economical lawn tractor a couple of years back and quit cutting half my yard to save money/gas (and time).
The next round of cutbacks we'll have to make will really be lifestyle changers. Now that I have kids I see that I spend more gas hauling their little butts to things than I do my own.
I also find it interesting that while oil is up in price, so is electricity (fired by coal, nuclear and natural gas) and natural gas itself is up...why?
Re: The economy vs photography 
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