The debate over fuel prices really shows how dumb many Americans are...
For some reason, people tend to get rattled when it hits a 'record high'. Since deflation is VERY bad, a little inflation is the best thing for the economy. Thus, everything climbs slowly higher, and sets a new record every so often. Very little retreats back. The view that fuel prices should be at $X +/- .YY cents, is little more than a wish for price controls of commodities.
Nobody bashes Ford for selling a stinking pickup truck for $45,000 retail using a 7 year loan as a vehicle, but if Exxon raises their wholesale price by 10 cents a gallon, we're ready to kick capitalisim to the curb in lieu of European style oversight of private business.
It sucks, but EVERYTHING gets more expensive, sometimes becuase of strict inflation, sometimes because of the corporations desire to increase profits.