Comment Text:
PLEASE do something to lowers costs of fuel. Between commuting daily 60 miles ONE WAY to my job - driving an average of 35,000 miles per year for work and related work business AND having to heat my home with fuel oil (which costs over $1,000 per tank (250 gal.) for fill up and lasts apprx. 6 weeks - about 4-5 fill-ups annually.....we are out of options and considering relocating to someplace where warmer, less need for heat, options for public transportation, and even leaving education as a profession given Gov. Kasich's plans for school reform. Once I leave Ohio, I will withdraw my 12 years of retirement $ to use it to live on currently and forget about needing it in the future. At this rate, I will need to work til I'm almost 70 yrs of age to collect a good retirement income, and have paid off my student loans. This is not my 1st occupation and it clearly won't be my last.
Due to rising costs I have decided to go without heat at our rural home in Glenmont, Ohio - the increase in gas alone is severely impacting our family. Most rural homeowners don't have options - we have to drive far to get to places such as work, grocery shop, bank - I drive 20 miles one way just to nearest bank or grocery store. Most rural homeowners have to heat with propane or fuel oil. Gas heat is not available in the Appalachian mountain area.
The government is involved in EVERY other aspect of life - how about doing something to control rising fuel costs. The US doesn't even make a good attempt to improve and add public transportation options for those who would use it. We are so archaic as a country compared to other countries like Australia, Europe when it comes to transportation options. At this rate, I should relocate to Australia with my husband - at least we'd have options, including health insurance.
I imagine some people will be not working since they can't afford the gas to get to work; some will decide (as just happened in rural ASHLAND COUNTY, OH - rash of 6-8 incidents in one evening alone) to break and enter vehicles to steal anything they can - purses, items - to purchase gasoline down the street. The increase in theft and car-jacking will be on the rise due to hardships and people being pushed to their limits.