Kansas City Playlist: Concluding The American Era Of Cheap Gas

Some, but not all, progressives and environmentalists celebrate the rise of gas prices because exorbitant costs will limit transportation of many motorists and inspire municipalities to consider a future with cleaner and more sustainable transit that's not dependent on fossil fuel.

And so a gas-free future offers an inspiring vision with one major flaw: It doesn't exist yet. 

Until that magical time where we can all hold hands and take a flying electric bus to work . . . We're stuck with ridiculous fuel costs that have completely eroded faith in the current administration. 

Even worse . . .

Consider that the rise of U.S. hegemony over the globe was fueled, to at least some degree, by cheap gas and the freedom of movement it provided the world's biggest economy . . . Now that low fuel costs are no longer part of the equation . . . The future of the American "way of life" isn't quite "in doubt" but is certainly undergoing an evolution as may leaders hope to mimic and impose the depressing European model of transit on the plebs under their control.

Check more deets about this aspect of record-breaking inflation that will impact locals far more than they might ever realize . . .

Gas prices reach new record high as GOP senators blame Biden for holding production back

The average price of gas in the U.S. reached a new record high in the days after the Biden administration canceled a 1-million-acre oil lease and as Senate Republicans blame the administration for blocking companies' ability to drill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act, explained

As the average consumer bears the brunt of rising gas prices, big oil and gas companies have continued to rake in historic profits. Lawmakers alarmed at the stark contrast between the industry's earnings and consumers' struggles pushed for - and passed through the US House of Representatives on Thursday - a bill that would make predatory price hikes unlawful and expand federal authority to investigate alleged price-gouging.

"We're not going to see $2 or $3 gasoline even in the near future:" Analyst on the reason why gas prices are so high

CBS News There is a lot of finger-pointing about who's to blame for the high gasoline prices. Republicans blame the Biden administration while Democrats say the oil companies are price-gouging. Analyst Severin Borenstein of Berkeley's Energy Institute told CBS News the root of the problem is more complex.

Driving around the metro . . . Most convenience stores are just a few cents below 4 bucks per gallon. 

They'll soon cross that threshold never to return. 

Like it or not . . . High gas prices that hit Americans in their wallet will likely sway more midterm votes than women's healthcare legislation or considerations regarding equity. 

Brief aside . . . 

In one of many signs that the culture war is toxic . . . Some, but not all, right-wingers keep posting those Prez Biden "I did that" stickers on metro gas pumps not realizing or not caring that it's somebody's (crappy) job to scrape them off or confront seething complaints from progressive customers . . . This tragic bit of rhetorical cat & mouse is one of many ways that political denizens who claim to represent "working men & women" don't really care about the people they step on in order to make their arguments. 

Accordingly and only to add a little levity to our conversation . . . 

Tonight's playlist shares songs devoted to gas & oil and/or diving in general . . .

Classic rock starts our evening listening session . . .

A 90s hip-hop classic regarding a different (but still relevant) bit of pain at the pump . . .

Poetic lyrics about lower-class life from Lana Del Rey

A bit of 80s era environmentalism from a band with an apropos name . . .

We conclude our thoughts on gas prices with a bit of old school Americana from TV's golden age . . .

As always, thanks for reading this week and have a safe & fun Saturday night.