Two days ago, I was at the gas station filling up my little car. After the gas nozzle clicked, the screen read "$35." How could it cost so much? The big sign above me said it was $4.50 a gallon. I don't think I've ever seen it that high. I remember around the time of the last Iraq war when the prices were going up. People kept asking whether it would go past $4. To my recollection, it got close but never did. Well, now it finally has. Gas prices going up will mean the prices of all other goods will go up because it costs to deliver those goods and the companies don't want to take the loss. Here again is one of those occasions where bad economic news means some people at the top will do extra well as they anticipate each next hardship and adjust accordingly while people at the bottom will see more difficulty. It's not looking good. But how bad is it really? Most people in America still have cars although they're a bit more beat up. Everyone still has shoes....