Average Gas Prices in February Reach a February High in the United States

The summer driving season is still months away, yet consumers at the pump are paying summer prices. What does this mean come the end of March when federal regulations for oil companies to switch to summer formulations. I myself am a bit worried.

We are half way through February, and the average price for gas is reaching record levels for this month. The average cost of gasoline is 50 cents higher than 12 months ago. The national average is $3.127 per gallon. Some economists claim that when fuel prices rise the economy gets healthier, but I remind you of 2008 when gas prices hit $4 a gallon in parts of the country. Does anyone remember the effect it had on Detroit?

Well, Detroit's most profitable vehicles--trucks and SUVs sat in lots for months. Workers that manufactured those vehicles faced layoffs. People didn't want to pick up a new car payment when fuel prices were skyrocketing through the roof.

Now Detroit isn't exactly healthy either. What is going to happen to these bailed out companies if gasoline hits record levels in the summer? Any progress they have made to strengthen themselves may soon be reversed. Where is Obama after promoting the billions in bailouts? Well, he is making it harder for America to help control these prices by putting more restrictions on drilling for American oil.

Get ready for a tough summer, and remember, when fuel prices rise, so does the cost of farming, services, and manufacturing.