The Most Important Issue In This Election

[Jessica Soto Sanchez]

Jessica Soto Sanchez


What Really Matters in This Election

How important is oil in this country? Is the price for gas going to increase? Can you really afford gas to get any higher? Years ago people wouldn’t ask these questions, but it seems like today it is all people are asking. Without oil, or with oil being so high, how can we survive? When I asked Melanie Romero what matters most to her in this election, she quickly and firmly replied that she cared most about our oil prices.

Melanie Romero is a personal trainer at Spectrum gym. She has these big blue eyes and a warm smile. She is 29 years old and is in great shape. Melanie has three kids, which she talks about constantly. She is very much involved in her church and in animal shelters. She is always telling me stories about all of the different rescue dogs and cats she has, and how she got them. Every now and then at the gym, I’ll see a picture of an animal looking for a good home, and I’ll know who put it up. She is not only a personal trainer but she’s also a nutritionist. Her job as a trainer is to help people get in better shape and inspire them to eat right.

When I got a chance to talk to her, it was at the end of our workout session on a Sunday afternoon. Luckily, she had no more clients to see after me. As we ordered our salad at the gym, I couldn’t help but to feel a little nervous. I finally asked her if she would be willing to be my subject, without hesitating she said sure. When I asked her what is the most important thing that mattered to her in this election she replied, “What matters most to me is the rising prices of oil, and everything that is effected by it.” As she was talking, I noticed her getting red in the face and becoming louder. She mentioned that she hasn’t told anyone about her growing concern on this issue. The whole economy seems to be crashing down right in front of our eyes. The rising oil prices not only makes it expensive to drive, but everything else goes up as well.

I noticed that everything she was saying really meant something to her. Something seemed a little personal to her. So, I asked her why does this issue matter to her so much.? She put down her fork, and finished the food she was chewing. She told me that her husband is a truck driver, and that the company that he worked for will have to start laying off some of it’s employees. I knew that she was really worried about her husband loosing his job. She said, “I’ve just been so stressed out recently.” She went on to tell me that she not only worries about her husband, but she has a sick mother in Florida. Since the air fare has gone up because fuel is more expensive, she hasn’t been able to see her mother. She went on to tell me that her husband is the bread winner, and that recently not to many people have the money to hire a personal trainer. She is even considering putting her children in public school next year.

Before this interview I never really put to much thought about high gas prices. I never thought about everything that is effected by the oil. When I asked her what is one thing that could be done to help this issue, she said that we should do what the Japanese are doing. She went on to tell me that in Japan people can only drive their cars certain days out of the week. They put color stickers on the cars to represent what day of the week they can be driven. She said, “If the Japanese are doing it why can’t we.” However, Melanie is just one more citizen feeling the effects of oil prices. A recent survey by the American Automobile Association revealed that “with the cost of oil rising as high as $135 per barrel, airlines significantly increased costs for jet fuel, and have hicked fares while cutting services.” Not only has it affected the airlines, but also motorists on the road are thinking about driving less. In a recent ABC News report, it stated that “23 percent of drivers say they’ll drive less over the next few months because of the price for oil. Just a third say they will continue to drive the same amount and just find a way to pay for it.”

As we wrapped up our interview and said our goodbyes, I told Melanie that I hoped everything worked out for her. You see, Melanie is a very good person because of so much that she does for animals. People like Melanie are hard to come across. As I drove home that afternoon, I couldn’t help but think about all of the other good people that are going through the same thing. Not only is oil a problem in this country, but also global warming. We need to start doing something now before it’s to late. Once all the oil is gone we can’t bring it back.


--Americans feeling effects of higher oil, gas prices. www.america.gov/st/elections08/2008/May

--ABC News starts here.
http://abcnews.go.com/politics/poll/poll voult

[Esmeralda]

I am sure about Oil is very important in this country .I do care a lot about oil prices too: One of the reasons I care is because, I live in New Braunfels, and I have to drive all the way to San Antonio College. I spend a quite amount of money weekly on gas. The price of gas is horrible it seems its going up every day. “It makes me dizzy” Gas prices are like a rollercoaster it goes up and then goes down. I agree, Oil prices are my most concern also, because like Melanie Romero points out that the whole economy seems to be crashing down right in front of our eyes. The rising oil prices not only makes it expensive to drive, but everything else goes up as well. Every thing goes up food especially . Not all of us have just money to spend on food is ridiculous that food prices are so high we have other payments to make. Also, gas prices been up so high “is ridiculous” I think that driving for certain days out of the week like the Japanese people do is a great idea. That’s so sad that Melanie hasn’t been able to see her mother that is on Florida, just for the reason the air fare has gone up because fuel “Oil, Oil, Oil.” I think it need to be done something now, and fast because many other situations like Melanie other people have too. WOW! I didn’t imagine how high “one thirty five dollars per barrel” is the cost of oil.“ I repeat it again is a exaggeration.” So the airlines increased cost for jet fuel, every thing is going up. Something needs to be done because now is not just going to be 23 percent of drivers saying they would drive less, the amount of the percentage of people is going to increase. If nothing has done fast about Oil situation I imagine people walking to work ,stores, etc. if the gas prices keep increasing.

[Alysa]

I think the oil situation is an important issue in the upcoming election. Our nation is highly dependent on foreign sources because the American production is not sufficient. However, I don't think that we are running out of oil, as everyone likes to make it sound. There is sufficient amount of oil for the time being. Alternate fuel sources are being ardently sought after and researched to secure a future that is less dependent on oil: foreign or American. Also, I feel that global warming is a scare tactic that many environmentalists focus too heavily on. If you really research it, you will find that we are not as in danger as some people make it sound. I believe it is irrelevant compared to the other issues we face. Also, the Japanese idea of limited vehicle use is, while a good one in theory, a bit unrealistic. Imagine if Bush(or whoever is elected into office) tried to pass a law saying we all had to put colored stickers on our car and only drive them on our "color" day. I can't tell the future but I'd be willing to bet he'd be something close to laughed out of office.

[Joe]

I agree with the gas prices going up are affecting everybody. With gas prices being so high just to drive it is also affecting us on our own personal spending. It is like now we have to set aside money just for gas because it adds up. Gas is to high, it's not like we can just stop driving. Every week I have to be filling up.It is like now our paycheck we earn it has to go to gas. I remember when gas was only like Eighty-Seven cents. I just wish gas could go down. Or maybe to find alternative fuel sources to help out are pockets.We need to find a change for foreign oil. We need to change our fuel sources. The gas prices need to go down.

[Anna]

I am so sure everyone is affected by the oil prices. I think this one is a very important issue to everyone. I am so worried about her especially since her husband is a truck driver. I hope see get some help from others and support that will help her from being stressed. I was very amazed about the writing of her issue it was very interesting to her about her and the things see does to help others including hurt or abused animals. I think that statement about Japan would be good but nobody here in Texas would agree because we depend too much on our vehicles.

[Eric Sawyer]

i think oil prices are a big issue. the fact that everyone has no choice but to buy it makes it hard to fight back. I think with the American people cutting back on their driving, and also the recent advancements in hybrid and electric cars that the oil crunch will soon be put back in balance.But only time will tell what the future holds.

[Jacob]

What Melanie brings up about what the Japanesse are doing about oil prices is a great idea, in theory. Just as a criticism, think of all the people in our country in rural areas that drive 30, 40, 50, even 60 miles a day to work. That would then create another problem because we would have to double or maybe even tripple public transportations fees and costs, regardless if they "rode the bus" a couple days a week. It is a very good idea that has merrit, but I think there is another way to solve high gas prices.

[Angel Barrera]

I agree with Melanie Romero oil prices are so expensive now days, and I have been thinking that it would be best to “drive a bicycle to school ,“ instead of a car. Oil not only provides gas, it provides so many things that we use more or the same as gas. We are abusing so much of the oil that I really don’t know what people would do when there’s no more left. The rising of oil prices has not only make it expensive to drive, but everything else goes up as well. Every thing goes up especially food. I hope that the government finds a solution for most of the problems that our country is suffering.

[Jessica]

Yeah gas prices are something to worry about now days! without gas the majority of the people can do nothing. hmm actually we should stop using cars that often! we should ride the bus some days or walk if we are going near. I remember when I just to fill up my car with only 27 bucks then when the prices went over $3.50 I had to fill up mmy car with 45 dollars! I as so impressed and mad at the same time because of school I can only work part time now so my pay check is not even half of what I used to get in summer so I dont have enough money to expend now, but actually the gas prices are going down! and it is kind of helping me im glad this is happening. And what you said about the Japanesse people is very smart from them such a great idea that US should take in consideration.

[Krystal Margaret Reyes]

Melanie brings up the issue that is on everyone's minds, including my own. Gas prices have been way too high and it has greatly affected people and businesses. Over the past few months, the price of gas has gotten out of control. People have stopped going out as much because they can't afford the extra gas therefore causing businesses to lose revenue. Because of this rise in fuel prices, prices in other areas such as grocery stores has also increased. This too has greatly affeccted many Americans as these two things are essential in several people's daily lives. I would like to see the new Preisdent handle this situation and reslove it.

[Jackie]

I agree prices on gas are really going up and from what i hear they are only going to get higher. It was interesting to read about what the japanese are doing, i had never heard about that, it is a good idea and it seems to work for them but i think americans would not adjust well to that, its almost like people would rather struggle than sacrifice for what we need. I hope that with the election something is done about the oil, as a student i go to school M-F and i feel like i am putting gas four times a week, with all that money going to gas it really leads to struggling with bills and working longer hours which just makes my school work suffer. Hopefully, like the japanese, we are able to find some way to put an end to rising gas prices.

[Jared Nichols]

Truck driving is a pretty rough job. Everything you do is out of your pocket until you get the job done. gas, food, and truck maintanence probably puts a pretty hefty dent in his pocket. If all of these things are rising in costs and his pay isnt consistanly rising with it than it becomes quite hard to complete your job. Fisherman also are having the same problem as truck drivers. There needs to be some type of stimulus that could help these people that are in these types of careers

[Josue I. Cruz-Lambert]

Me like the article. I think that this world is going crazy with oil. Therefore not only should we work on the alternative fuel but also work on our current problem, the inflation and oil prices. Even if neccessary our goverment should do what we have them for and what the constitution requires of them. TO PROTECT THE AMERICAN CITIZEN, even if we need to set up a freeze on price and begin to contruct new dams/national parks/etc. Just like this country did during the great depression....or perhaps it has been too long and people need to be reminded what the great drepression really was??