Paying more at the pump

A supposed "boycott" of gasoline was to take place Wednesday, after being touted and forwarded around the country in spam e-mail for the majority of last week.\nAs if we can change the industry in one day. How American of us.\nThe outrage is understandable. No one likes high gas prices. Today, Americans are paying 30 percent more for regular gasoline than a year ago and average retail prices for regular-grade gasoline jumped in the last week to $2.02, according to U.S. Energy Department economists. This is the first time in history the national average has gone above $2. \nBut in the end, one day of regular commuters not buying gas will not bring Big Oil to its knees because we're remorselessly dependent on gas. The nation would rather drive a mile instead of walk. We would serve ourselves better focusing on fuel-efficiency than focusing on ways to lower gas prices.\nWe either have to wait until market forces naturally bring prices down, or change the overall way we deal with gas consumption. We believe we will have to pursue the latter for long-term independence from an already finite amount of oil. As for the former: walk if possible, instead of driving, don't let your car sit in idle and no matter how bad it gets, it's not the station attendant's fault.