The fact is and will always be that they have a scarce resource that we don't have and a number of nations on this planet need. They are the ones producing the majority so they essentually set the market. And now we are competing with several other growing countries. Even if we curtail our consumption it does nothing for the overall price because there are now too many players in the game that effect the demand side of the equation and thus the price. All you can do is fend for yourself and get a car that gets good mileage. 37mpg hwy here and as bad as 30 in the city with ac on.