Are gas prices driving you crazy?(No pun intended of course!) Currently throughout the U.S., gas prices AVERAGE from about $3.37 in Wyoming, to a very nasty $3.71 in Alaska. Many people are feeling the extreme crunch caused by a combination of extremely high gasoline prices and ghastly food prices, and for some, it’s becoming simply unbearable. T
here are only so many corners that can be cut before some families lose their homes. Many families are struggling needlessly, and bad seems to be going to worse, as the prices rise. Many ask, “why won’t the government do something?” But as we know, it is doing what they can. The recent tax break given by President Bush should give a temporary lift to those in dire straits, but it will realistically only buy families a very limited amount of time in which to try to get ahead.
Many people the Gorilla spoke to about this issue told of their stories of struggle. Families spoke about not being able to afford to take their kids to all of the after-school activities, such as sports because of all of the driving requirements, forcing their kids to quit. They also talked about having to buy much unhealthier foods due to the fact that boxed foods are much cheaper than the more expensive healthier alternatives.
For some, it is much more dire than these things. One woman told the Gorilla that she could no longer afford to pay for all of her prescriptions, so she stopped taking many of her medications, even though a serious health condition requires that she do so. Families are cutting back by doing everything from letting go of the lawn guy or pool guy, to even canceling their cable television. Poorer families, which never even had those luxuries, are suffering the worst, having to cut corners where there are no corners to cut.
An elderly woman said that she finally had a car given to her after years of not having one, only to find that because of her very low income on social security, there was no way she could afford to even drive it now. The high gas and food prices, in combination with many other factors, are causing people to lose their jobs, and for some-even their homes! One man said he lost his job due to company layoffs, resulting from a waning economy. Since he now has no income, his wife, who is now in her late-40’s, must get a job. They claim that because of the high fuel costs, it is almost a worthless effort since most of her paycheck goes to putting gas into the tank for her daily 30-minute commute to work. And on and on the stories go.
Yes, the economy is in great need of repair, and we are all affected in some way or another. Don’t give up just yet though. The Gorilla found these personal stories to be compelling and wanted to share them with you to let you know that, you are certainly not alone! Hang in there and know that like everything else, this too will eventually pass.