If complaining solved problems, we'd be living in utopia. (And yes, I am
aware that I am complaining about people complaining.)

I hear quite a bit of complaining about gas prices at school, most of it
aimed at gas stations and oil companies. Gas stations, many of which are locally
owned, make pennies on each gallon. Yet they are still accused of price gouging.
Those who run these gas stations are capitalists who wish to make money, just
like any other business or individual in this country. If they could sell gas
for a lower price, they would. It would attract customers. A lot of customers.
Have you seen the lines at supermarket gas stations where discounts are awarded
via a point system?

Yes, the price of oil is skyrocketing, but is that really a bad thing? Many
share the opinion that our country must be less dependent on oil and move toward
alternative sources. Maybe if gas prices get high enough, people will start to
think twice about their consumption and act accordingly.

I recently attended a model legislation exercise at the State Capitol that
was composed of students from York County high schools. I was a member of the
Transportation Committee, where a debate began about the rising cost of gas.

In reference to the price of gas in European markets being about double what
it is here, one member said, "Yeah, but they drive less and ride Vespas."

Compelling.

Imagine that. They don't drive as much, and when they do, they find more
efficient means of doing so.

And then there's the economy in general. The cause of the slow economy could
be any number of things, but it's a cycle; it will always be up and down.
However, American consumers need to consider a few things. First, should you buy
from Wal-Mart? It's heralded as a "great-American company," which it may well
be, but it puts a lot of smaller, local retailers out of business.

Instead of buying food at places such as Wal-Mart, why not go down to one of
the great markets in York and purchase fresh produce from a local farmer. It may
very well be more expensive, but you'd be supporting the local economy, rather
than a foreign country.

Those purchasing a new vehicle should also consider buying American.
Although many Japanese cars are produced here, and some American cars are
produced in Canada or Mexico, we must consider where that money will end up.
American companies are based here, and Japanese ones are based in Japan.

There seems to be an illusion that Japanese cars are more efficient than
American ones. However, Toyota sells more Tundra trucks - which get about 13
miles per gallon in the city (which is the same or worse than American-made
trucks) - than they do Prius hybrids.

Let's face it. Gas prices aren't going to be going down anytime soon.
Because of this, many Americans will be altering their lifestyles. It's
unavoidable. But instead of complaining, do something. Pay attention to where
your money goes. Support the local economy.

To quote a fisherman on the Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch": "Whining
is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but you just don't get
anywhere."