Memorial Day kicked off the start of the summer driving season. It also kicked off the start of rapidly increasing gasoline prices.

Experts give us a variety of reasons for why this happens. From a supply of oil that is not keeping up with demand to a labor strike in Nigeria has been blamed for the jump in price.

The fact of the matter is that we have the same amount of control over oil prices as we do the price of a gallon of milk or bottled water. Or even the price we pay for fresh vegetables or farm-raised catfish.

Our control is in how much we are willing to pay for the product. Once the product gets to be too expensive, it becomes time to cut back.

Most Americans are not willing to do that where gasoline is concerned. We continue to drive, paying whatever is necessary to fill our tanks.

But, is that the best way to function in a free market system?

It’s to your benefit to find the least expensive gas in town and trade with that dealer. (Of course, it also benefits the dealer who can continue to offer the lowest per gallon cost).

You can also choose to walk when you have the opportunity instead of taking the vehicle. Or ride a bicycle to the store.

These are choices many are not willing to make, but your buying power is the only control you have over the price of gasoline. And if enough Americans made the difficult choice to cut back, it would make a difference. That’s the free enterprise system at work.