government's fault when those with jobs can't afford gas. Don't tell the government to help the unemployed, they should work hard and help themselves. DO tell the government that my job isn't good enough to afford commodities. I cannot get a higher paying job myself. Today's transportation fuel prices are as high as they have ever been, as evidenced by the charts above. It looks like lower fuel cost helps our economy, see 1945-1970 and 1985-2003. It would be interesting to see a chart on miles driven per inflation adjusted dollar spent on fuel. I think we would see that today we are getting significantly more miles out of the equivalent expense. We should also keep in mind there is much less environmental pollution per gallon than in the past. I wonder if there is enough information to allow a chart of gas prices, INCLUDING the portion spent through the government in subsidies, military support, etc? If subsidies have remained steady over the years, then 1919 adjusted prices would be higher -- doubt this has happened! The comment about military costs  suggests to me You might reflect on the fact that if we had not fought Hitler, he would have come in possession of the Middle Eastern fields.   A plentiful oil supply was one our major advantages over the Germans.  He got caught out on a limb  at Stalingrad because he was reaching for the oil fields to the South and east.  When we invaded Normandy, most of the Luftwaffe