As gas prices reach $4.29 in my midwestern hometown, I feel it a fine time to reflect on some often forgotten points concerning the price of gas and the state of the United States.
Unless I was taught lies in school, I seem to remember that oil, much like diamonds, is not rare or hard to find. The supply of both items is indeed plentiful, neither substances are rare.
I was taught that a "cartel" of people and interests were in charge of keeping the prices high, often through the use of regional and national price fixing, often through the use of force or intimidation.
Many countries that we purchase oil from are indeed dictatorships of one kind or another, despite our cry of "freedom" as Americans.
So all the while we pay huge amounts willingly, for substances that are not rare- in many cases to governments and countries that are openly hostile to our freedoms and way of life and beliefs.
All the while we are taught to worship and idolize the "free market" system, much like a fetish, when clearly the success of the manipulated and controlled "cartel" countries cannot be disputed.
After all, they're taking our money aren't they?

While our oil suppliers are rich, profitable and "protected" nations-
We in America are open, weak and becoming poorer and poorer.
Am I the only one who sees the irony here?