The issue is that a gallon of fuel is used so muck quicker than most other items. At 60mph in a car that gets 30mpg. that 1 gallon only lasts 30 minutes.
A gallon of Nyquil or pepto bismal should last for years.
I thought I paid too much for fuel until I saw how much it is in Britain. Now I'm quite thankful
The bottled water thing... I agree, it is ridiculous.