We're to blame for high gas prices

Correctly saying that we should not blame others for current gas prices, Mr. Uttich (June 15 Fence Post) falls into the same trap, pointing a finger at Congress. Yes, Congress must be to blame for our guzzling more oil than the rest of the world combined.

When developing countries were content with what they had, we enjoyed all the oil we could suck down at a price less than a gallon of milk. We used that time to abandon alternative fuel sources, trade up to single-digit mpg sports utility tanks, and allowed large oil monopolies to pocket record profits.

Now that other countries want their share of the pie, we compete with millions of new faces for a limited resource.

If anyone thinks that drilling for the pittance of Alaskan oil would have any affect on today's situation, they are misguided or naïve. Maybe we should drill, but only as part of a comprehensive program including alternative fuel sources and higher taxes.

Yes, higher taxes.

We should have been taxing gasoline as much as other countries, with the funds used to break our dependence on a foreign resource we cannot live without. But it is easier to turn up the air conditioning and buy a bigger car, as we whine about oil prices reaching that of carbonated soft drinks.

Boohoo. Don't blame other countries. Don't blame Congress.

Blame ourselves.

Alton Mitchell

Naperville