Yes, they can charge whatever they want. They can use whatever sleight of hand and bullshit that they like to justify a ridiculous rise in prices over a short period of time. And yes, we will continue to pay it, mostly because we have no choice.
The only way to stop it is to end our dependence on it. That's it. If we find alternative fuels, if we are willing to give up our SUVs and high-powered sports cars for a Prius or a Smart Car (they are so tiny!!), to stop our selfish whining, then we will CONSIDERABLY lower the demand and THEN the price will come down.
Instead of plans to lower the price of oil (which they don't control) or to repeal the federal tax (when we already have a deficit), why isn't the government putting SERIOUS money into alternatives. Give substantial rebates for people who buy hybrid cars, not the pittance given now, subsidize solar energy for the average homeowner so that it's practically free, instead of the average homeowner having to wait 20 years to recoup their money. Hydrogen cars, SAFE nuclear energy, anything that would help, rather than oil, oil, oil. Then we can tell the rest of the world to go F itself, we don't need their oil.
The price will come down then, you can bet on that.
