Basic rule of economics...is competition in a fair market keeps prices down and keeps companies healthy by forcing to innovate in production and R&D for future products. We as a people screwed up on this. Every American can blame themselves for this problem. Every time you fall asleep on Washington DC, they do this to you. They systematically allowed Exxon & Moblie, Chevron & Texaco, and others to merge. Reduction of competition allowed them to dismantle refinery capacity and allowed a second cartel in the wholesale gasoline market. Now they work less to make more profit...but typically if the market theory holds true they sewed their seeds of their own demise by creating a market for an alternative for energy. I am hoping one day Washington will have the people at heart over Special Interest who set out to hurt their own country to make a buck. I'm not holding my breath.