Are We Used To High Gas Prices?

By Jeff Deminski

Prices at gas stations along the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike jumped by 17 cents per gallon today. The new average for regular is suddenly $3.56. A ridiculous increase for sure. As I write this, Gas Buddy lists New Jersey's statewide average for a gallon of regular at $3.58. A week ago it was $3.43. A month ago it was $3.38.

In New York it's $3.90. In Connecticut it's $4.00.

Have we become immune to this? I'm not hearing any shock and awe anymore. Do you still get outraged how world events allegedly drive the cost of gas up immediately at the pump even though that gas was delivered to the station before whatever latest trouble in Egypt occurred? Of course it never works in reverse for events that should bring the cost down. Or have we all heard this song and dance so long that this 3 and 4 dollar gas is just the new normal met with an "eh-whaddya-gonna-do?" attitude?