We are already seeing a ripple effect from the high gas prices. Go shopping lately? Shocked to see how much the prices have jumped? Is this enough to wake you up?

We seem to be in a perpetual daze when it comes to the economy. "Oh, nothing bad will happen; Things will be okay". It seems easy to forget of the not-so-distant times during the Great Depression.

Rising gas prices affect everything across the board. This is because commodities need to be transported across the country on trucks. Trucks, as you know, require lots of gas.

What's my point here? My point is, is that we cannot rely on the altruism and humanity of Big Oil to save us. We have to make an effort ourselves.

I already described steps that can be undertaken in a previous article about energy independence.

Another step that society can take is the creation of sustainable, local economies.

No, I don't mean to build a commune and live with Jim Jones.

I mean building self-sustaining towns and cities that can provide food for themselves; Ones that are not reliant on food being shipped half-way across the country.

Think it can't be done? I go to a farmer's market every Sunday and find some of the best food and crafts, made by real people using real methods that are time-tested and effective.

So, why not do this on a larger scale? The choice really is ours. We can sit around, bitch and moan about how Big Oil is evil. Or we can take matters into our own hands, bringing about energy independence and sustainable communities.

This will not fix all our problems; But perhaps it is a step in the right direction.