It isn't just the US dollar, because the cost of petrol is going up in countries whose dollar is doing much better (compared to the US dollar). People in the US pay significantly less for petrol than people in the UK or in Australasia so in one respect I do find it hard to have sympathy for people in the US complaining about their petrol prices. But on the other hand I do sympathize that change is hard and the cost of petrol is resulting in people having to make changes (in their spending habits) not just in the US - but across the world.

It is hard... One the one hand we are getting this message that the earth would be a LOT better off if we decreased our reliance on petrol. So... We know we should... What is the best way to get people to decrease their reliance? Increase the prices. In many countries items such as tobacco, alchohol, etc have higher taxation. Partly to raise revenue towards prevention and treatment programs. Partly to help foot the costs of the associated health bills. Partly... To help people adopt a lifestyle which doesn't involve significant use of tobacco products. The Australian government has been talking about instituting a $1 charge per plastic bag. Not because the government needs the money, but because we know that it will be a hell of a lot better for the environment if people switch to reusable green bags. Sometimes what people really seem to need to make the positive change is for their older (unhelpful) habits to be taxed or have higher costs associated. If there was a fast food tax then sure people would complain about the cost of food... But you would also see an increase in comparatively healthy eating habits...

What would be most helpful (in my mind) would be to put significant funds into a good system of public transport. If public transport is safe and convenient then really... Tax the hell out of oil, I say...

We will know the situation is dire (getting near the end of the worlds supply) when the USA starts drilling the oil on US land.