No doubt we are being held up at the gas pumps. Let's face it; they have the oil and we want it, and we are not in much of a position to bargain. Everybody should try to do the little things that help reduce our need. Drive more slowly, anticipate the next stop, not roar up to the next guy's tail light and slam on the brakes. Plan your trips, make a list and get it all at once.
I don't know about you but I keep my tanks full and have six five gallon cans with preserved gas on hand. What would you do if they closed the gas stations tomorrow for a week? I still remember the gas lines of the seventies.
Another factor in the price is the US dollar is losing value compared to other currencies. Why do you suppose the price of gold is creeping up? The Chinese need oil too, and they are making a lot of the goodies that fill up our Walmarts and other stores. Yes, I buy there too. What do you suppose they do with those dollars we give them? If we spend less on their junk, we won't be giving them money to buy the gas we need. Another big controversial factor is the War in Iraq. We are spending money there, which we don't have. This fact floods the world with dollars making them 'cheaper', driving up the cost of oil priced in dollars.
Drive slower and less often, spend less on foreign made junk, and vote out politicians who are allowing jobs and factories to be shipped overseas. Most of these same politicians are allowing the remaining jobs to be filled by cheap illegal labor.
Germany in WW2 and South Africa during the UN boycott both were able to manufacture motor fuel from coal. The US should set up a pilot program to start making us less dependent on foreign oil. It won't be as cheap as drilled oil, but it won't be under some enemy's control.
Look around for an older car or truck with a regular carburetor and get a propane conversion for it. Many older vehicles can run this fuel with almost no modifications, and can switch between them with the flip of a switch. I have an old Ford truck with a 65 gallon propane tank, and two gasoline tanks. Propane is cheaper than gasoline when sold as motor fuel; but not at the rip-off BBQ tank prices.
Whatever you do will be insignificant. However, it is vitally important that you do it. - Gandhi