Oil and natural gas production off the US Gulf Coast remain at less than 50 percent following hurricanes Gustav and Ike, leading to shortages of both gasoline and diesel throughout the Southeast. Lines at gas stations have been reported in the Asheville, NC area, and the Flying J truck stop chain has imposed diesel rationing.

This highlights the US economy’s dependence on the smooth functioning of its energy infrastructure — a shut down of oil extraction and refining leads to fuel shortages, which leads to decreased truck trade or increased prices… remember, “Without Trucks, America (sic) Stops!”

Well, not really. But the US economy certainly would!