It seems no matter where you go in our region or in the country for that matter; gas prices are causing financial problems. Here in our region some people are forced to extremes by pawning off their belongings just for gas money. Those on minimum wage may use a whole day's pay to fill up their vehicle. Stories like these have both politicians and the average Joe telling us what needs to be done.

“What we're seeing is outrageous,” says Governor Ed Rendell.

Governor Rendell says we need to start conserving; eliminate wasteful trips, buy hybrid cars, and make sure your car is running at its peak performance. The Governor is also calling on more research and action when it comes to alternative fuels.

From here in our region, Tom Joyce says we need to boycott Exxon Mobile because of their record billions of dollars in profits.

“Anyone can go online and look at the profits for oil companies and going to say why; how can these people live at night, sitting there knowing the kind of profits they are making off of the American people,” questions Joyce.

Tom feels a boycott is the only way we can see immediate gas price reduction because he says our government won't help us. He says the government gets too many kickbacks from the oil industry.

On the other hand Congressman John Murtha feels President Bush holds the power.

“To get prices down, the President has to get his buddies in and say to them, folks lets get that price down,” says the Congressman.

Only time will tell what the answer is or if we as whole can come together to put an end to these prices, but for now our region is directly feeling a pinch by what many are calling pure greed.

“Last year the profits went up 54, 28, 22 percent. That's absolutely unconscionable increases,” says Governor Rendell.

Speaking of boycotting gas, starting Monday, a small Texas county that's had its fill of rising gas prices is launching a boycott of Exxon Mobil. Bee County says the boycott will continue until gas is down to $1.30 a gallon.