I'm about to reveal to you the ugly truth about high gas prices. Many of you reading this aren't going to like it. But here it is:

High gas prices are the fault of the American public. That's right. It's our fault. Yours and mine.

It's not the fault of the government. It's not the fault of the oil industry. It's not the fault of the war in Iraq.

We're pointing fingers at all the wrong suspects, when we should be pointing the finger directly at ourselves.

So, how are high gas prices our fault?

Because of our love affair with our automobiles. I don't know if it's selfishness, stubbornness, stupidity or what. But we simply will not stop driving our cars.

Our gas consumption has risen by 45 percent over the last half-century. We consume 20 million barrels of oil a day.

And it's a really a shame, because we have so many viable options available to us including carpooling, mass transit, hybrid vehicles, bicyles, scooters, and walking.

Now if you believe the news reports, mass transit ridership has increased nationwide. That's a bunch of hogwash!

How do I know? Because, there's nothing Washington enjoys doing more than tooting its own horn.

Yet, have you heard any real, concrete numbers coming out of Washington, that would suggest ridership on mass transit has increased to a point that's making a difference?

I certainly haven't. I'm not saying mass transit ridership hasn't increased a little. I'm not saying that at all. What I'm saying is, the numbers are so small, they're negligible.

To be fair, it's not just the fact Americans won't park their cars that's driving up the cost of oil. It goes much deeper than that.

Gasoline prices are climbing largely because oil prices have reached record levels, not adjusted for inflation. Oil, which recently closed at $75.17 a barrel, accounts for about half the cost of gasoline.

Also boosting the cost of gasoline has been the conversion from additive MTBE to ethanol in many gasoline blends. Although ethanol production has been ramping up, there are concerns that there won't be enough ethanol at the right place and the right time.

In closing, you'd better fasten your seatbelt (no pun intended), because things are going to get a lot worse, before they get better!