True. Though many would agree it is in our best interests to maintain a strong military, during wartime fuel costs go up around 30%. The DoD is the largest departmental consumer of oil in the world. Not to mention Iraq oil production is lower than before the war. You hit on something that many of those upset with high gas prices are oblivious to - inflation. The FRB and Government have used it as a "stealth" tax to increase prices on most of the things we consume by about 50% in the last 7 years.