With gas prices on the rise, I knew what was coming.  Online newsgroups, Facebook pages and even mass emails all urged me to take part in the National Gas Boycott Day on April 15 (or other near-future dates).  While I am not happy about paying $4.50 per gallon in Chicago, these boycotts boggle my mind.

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Gas is a recurring purchase.  Boycotting gas purchases on April 15, but buying it on April 14 or April 16 really negates the whole intended effect of the boycott.  If nobody drove that day (a highly unlikely scenario), it would make a statement and hit the gas suppliers much harder.  That would mean less total gas purchased for the month (or fiscal period).  Merely shifting the purchase date does nothing.

I have heard that these boycotts don’t really exist.  They are reportedly just hoaxes.  That may be the case, but I know many people who believe in the idea and will not buy gas on the selected day.

When I explain my opinion to these people, they disagree, saying that the gas suppliers will see what power we can have.  As long as their overall bottom line doesn’t go down, the gas suppliers will see no such power from the consumer.

The increasing gas costs are annoying.  I can think of a lot of things I would rather do with the extra money I am now spending on gas.  On the other hand, I can honestly say that the increases have not decreased my driving.

I don’t have an answer to the rising price of gas.  I just know that boycotting gas purchases on one specific day will do nothing to change the situation.

— John Wroblewski, online contributor