Will oil prices ever retreat to much lower prices? I sure hope so, but then again I'm not betting on it. I think it will drop some, but not too terribly much.

Another analyst brought up an interesting point. He mentioned that oil prices in the past were one of a recession-type structure. In other words, the prices were way too low for the given market - and we got used to it. Instead of gradually rising over time, they remained low and the bubble finally popped. The high prices are probably what they should be, and the variable is going to be the consumer and the economy getting used to these prices.

I agree whole-heartedly with HercDriver's sentiments. Times are financially challenging at the moment but it's not the end of the world. If higher gas prices are here to stay then the economy will adjust to the way it does business. Once that happens and the initial shock of $100.00+ per barrel oil prices wares off, then things will stabilize once again.