Gas prices seem to rise at the blink of an eye. Consumers are feeling the increase in every aspect of their lives. Groceries cost more, commuting costs more and disposable income seems to have vanished completely.

The only thing that is consistent during this time of gasoline crisis is that everyone is pointing a finger. The problem is that they are all pointing in a different direction. The government, the oil companies, the consumers – who is really to blame for the position that our economy is in today?

The real truth is that everyone has a part in the problem. Speculating investors (who only have to put up a small amount of money to do trading) are driving the price of oil up with margin purchases. The government officials and politicians are allowing the speculators to drive prices up and are happy to take their piece of the treasure (through gasoline taxes) and the oil companies are happy to increase the profits for themselves and their investors. The consumers are blindly filling the tank and trying to make it work as best as they possibly can.

As long as the majority is content to live with the situation, nothing will change. If supplies continue to flow then consumers will continue to pay and the cycle will not find an end.

If everyone was willing to compromise a little and take some responsibility then the crisis could be reversed for all the people out there who are hoping for an end to come soon.