Gas prices force citizens to know neighbors

I am more and more thankful for rising gas prices.

America has dug itself into an abyss that has been built on our lifestyles revolving around cheap gas. Should we be allowed to complain for putting ourselves in such as situation? Probably not. The better question is how can we constructively morph our current situation? Just the fact that we are fighting to gain access to an exorbitantly expensive, non- renewable resource makes the situation hopelessly dismal. Where is the light at the end of this tunnel?

As an optimist, I pondered this question while pumping unleaded into my “fuel-efficient” Hyundai Sonata. I realized shortly I would owe the gas company an arm, leg or my first born by the end. As I waved to a neighbor passing by it suddenly dawned on me: Why not cut down on our gas consumption by visiting the people around us, rather than traveling across town to meet with friends? What ever happened to getting to know our neighbors, block parties, neighborhood cookouts and the lemonade stands hosted by the youth of the cul-de-sac? Many of my best school friends live right in my neighborhood, yet I never knew to walk down the street to say hello. I believe, however, that this will partially be reborn in the wake of rising gas prices. By driving away from those who live right around us we have unconscientiously eroded the sense of community that was once prevalent across America. Rising gas prices solves this problem.

Though America may still be afraid of our international neighbors, it is comforting to know that gas prices will force citizens to walk out of their front doors and down the street to ask for that cup of sugar instead of squandering precious gas to buy it at a grocery store.

Katelyn McNamara

Biology freshman