"Beer is still cheaper than gasoline; so just drink, don't drive." That was an SMS message sent to me the other day. It's sounds funny, but it is true. Why are gasoline prices on the rise almost every week (or every day, in some places)? I guess this could be the one million dollar question for all of us. Nobody seems to really know why gasoline prices are on the rise. We are putting the blame on almost everybody: the oil companies, the government, the dollar market, and whomever we could easily point our fingers to.
The sad thing about all these is that it is affecting almost everybody, government and private sectors alike, and the prices of almost all our basic commodities are also on the rise. Sad to say, that the only thing that never change are the salaries of every working individual. And another sad thing is that there are shortages on some of our basic commodities. Like for example, here in the Philippines, we are experiencing shortage on rice. I am not quite certain if this has something to do with the increase on gasoline prices, but I'm sure that somehow there is a connection.
I guess the only consolation we get from all of these is that it is a worldwide problem and not our own respective countries only. But is there something we can do to stop and reduce these continuing price hike? I just find it so unfair that the some people are getting richer from all these price increases, while the consumers, are all working hard but slowly finding it difficult to make ends meet.
It is also sad that most of the producing countries, whether they be considered a first world or a third world country, are geared up in finding ways to improve their so called “national defense systems.” Nuclear bombs, long range rifles, high calibre weapons, weapons of mass destructions are more in production than school books and other much needed infrastructures. Every country seems to want to overdo the other. People would rather get their messages through by means of war and destruction.
Why can't anybody stop and think that all the resources we have on Earth are meant for all human beings? Humans, withersoever dispersed, of any age, race, sex, religion, beliefs, skin color, and language, are all the sole owner of these natural resources. These are all gifts from the Supreme Being, our Great Artificer of the Universe, and we should all share these gifts with one another and use it for our daily needs, as this is in accordance with His plan for us here on Earth. They are all given to us to improve ourselves and not destroy one another.
Has anybody ever ponder that Earth may be the only planet in our Solar System where humans can live, survive and co-exist with other living things? It is so sad that we only celebrate Earth Day once a year. Earth Day should be everyday, which is “intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth's environment.” We celebrated it last May 28th all over the world, but then all of a sudden we forgot about our Mother Earth, and continued on our sorry and sad existence.
We should all take part in improving the way we look at our Mother Earth. Share with one another the gifts given and provided for us by the Almighty. Learn to live and co-exist peacefully with our neighbors. This is my prayer.
