How much is is costing you to get around these days? I'm talking about getting to and from work, and just running everyday errands. What percentage of your monthly budget is allocated for gasoline and heating oil?

     Not so very many years ago, I made my living as a sales rep, calling on about 600 stores in a seven state territory in New England. I'd be driving about 1200 miles each week, and my gasoline bills were a big part of my expenses. I really don't think that I could make a living doing that today with fuel at $3.21 a gallon here in South Texas.

     Here's a thought that's simplistic, and most probably ignorant of geopolitics. We've spent more than $47 billion on Iraqi reconstruction efforts since 2003, according to the 2008 quarterly audit by the special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction. Iraq will accrue at least $100.0 billion in oil revenues in 2007 and 2008. Their oil production has now been estimated at high as 2.51 million barrels a day. With its proven oil reserves of 112 billion barrels, Iraq ranks second in the world behind Saudi Arabia. Why is not some of that production not making its way to our shores in the form of less expensive fuel and heating oil? Why is Iraq not contributing to its reconstruction by repaying some of the enormous amount of money the USA has spent there? I'd welcome comments from anyone who has a more informed insight into this question.