I think the cheapest gas within 40 miles of here is 5.439 / gal. (California) Nowhere near Euro prices, but a lot if you drive a big truck and commute 100 miles a day (I don't). Painful as it is for me, I think gas should be expensive because of all the external costs, I just wish the $ didn't go to the oil companies and the petro states.

It does seem that prices are all on the rise here except for stock photos and electronics (those might get more expensive, but also better so an equivalent device might be a lot cheaper if you can find one).