An interesting story in CNN today: http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/17/markets/oil/index.htm  illustrates the classic addition-cycle between consumers, businesses, and oil producers.  There’s only one other business relationship that comes to mind, where the provider treats the customer with such abusive distain – and that’s dealer-drug/addict relationship. 

Since September, OPEC (the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) has cut oil production by almost 20 percent.  The goal very simply, is to reverse falling prices (caused by a shrinking global economy), in an attempt to get oil prices back to $75 per barrel.  Today, OPEP’s President Chakib Khelil, told reporters that production cuts will continue until the price reaches his target, stating: “If you’re not surprised by these cuts, then we’ll have to do something about it.”

Talk about kicking your loyal (addicted) customer to the curb.  Whatever happened to fostering the long-term customer relationship?  How about equal concessions on both sides of supply/demand equation, until things improve?  Nope! The pusher man don’t play that way.  If we need what he’s got, then we pay what he says, and that’s the end of that.  Until we decide to break this addiction cycle.  And that means conservation (on behalf of everyone), and a vigilant stance on investing in alternatives like Natural Gas for heating our homes, and electric powered cars for everyone.   Don’t let today’s cheap gas prices trick you.  Soon enough, the pusher-man will have his way (he always does), and we’ll be back to paying $4/gallon at the pump - until we finally cultivate the alternatives we need to break this addiction cycle.