America's Money: Gas crunch hits home

Supplier improvement engineer, 50, Orestes, Ind.

The wife and I had intended to take a road trip this year for the summer. However with the price of gasoline there isn't any way that we can afford that. It appears that our vacation this year will be spent at the campground rather than enjoying our senior years together.

I couldn't even imagine trying to raise a family in these uncertain times. My three sons are extended about as far as they can be, and the oldest one was just downsized due to escalating costs that can be attributed directly to the rising petroleum cost.

It appears in this rural area of Indiana that not only do we not have many jobs, but the jobs that are available in Indianapolis are impossible to commute to because of soaring gas costs. If someone is trying to lower the standard of living for the so-called middle class, I think that they have managed to complete that task.

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