Uhhh...well.

Not saying I LIKED paying $3-4 per gallon (and yes, we paid over $4 a gallon for a while here), but this is actually kind of scary.

Why? Because prices aren't dropping because the supply suddenly jumped...but because of the drop in demand. And why they drop? Because people who don't have jobs aren't driving more than they have to, aren't buying as many goods and services, aren't spending money.

The dropping gas prices, while ok in the short term, are scary. Prices on shelves have been steadily climbing the last year, to cover the increasing delivery costs, and I doubt they'll drop nearly as quickly...which means we'll still be paying more, and earning less.

True.

But I do think they will start to drop...and continue to drop. They will also start to rise slower, also.

The recession isn't supposed to last much longer, anyway. Maybe a year at most...but economists predicted a 14 month recession...and we're already 12 months in...

I'm a cynic...plan for the worst, hope for the best. I really hope that you're right.

me too lol.

...that was full of toxic thought talk

This is terrible news.

#1 - everyone employed by the oil industry will soon be not. This will worsen the economy.

#2 - all those plans for conserving gas? Out the window because peole dont' care now that it isn't hitting their wallets. So, the morons with SUV's get to keep killing Earth because they can afford to now.

#3 - the speculators were the reason it was so high. Maybe now people will learn a bit.

Correct and ...

#4: Cheap gas will put a stop to much of the alternative fuels research. If gas isn't expensive there is no financial incentive for alternatives. Especially in this economy.

Oil might hit $25/barrel. Keep in minnd that in July people's predictions were that oil would go to $200, and some even predicted it would climb up to as much as $500.

And as Maven mentioned, it isn't necessarily a good thing. If oil drops to $25, it means our economy is in serious trouble. It would feel great at the pump, but that's about the only time things would feel cheep.

Perhaps one day the only "fossil fuel" used by humans will be Geritol.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I thoroughly enjoyed filling up my tank for 34 dollars, instead of the usual 70+ I have to pay to fill up my 4Runner.

Most of the people I know are driving no more than they usually do.

I don't think the incentive is lost for alternative energy; it's now apparent that the prices are fluctuating, and at any time could drastically increase. The incentive to work towards energy independence will remain, and I say this as an SUV-driving moron who is friends with plenty others.