On any given day, the weather trend is usually the first subject of conversation. During the past month, anywhere you go in the United States, the price of gasoline has become a primary topic to complain about. Most people, and businesses, feel helpless when looking toward winter's fuel bills. Will dispensing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve help us? If you think short-term - Yes; it will help temporarily. In fact, you can expect to see products and services increase in price due to the price of fuel and transportation.

This is only the beginning of economic change. Many of the "Mom and Pop" businesses may not be able to adapt fast enough to handle the upcoming heating bills. Many of the local businesses, in my area, are still "smarting" from last winter's fuel bills. So what can we do? There has been a flood of Emails that tell us to boycott a particular oil company, but nobody can agree on exactly which company to boycott.

Most oil companies are considered "greedy corporate giants," with questionable political agendas, by the consumers. If we are going to be driven out of business, and into an economic disaster, it is time to declare economic warfare on the largest oil companies. Sorry to choose such strong words and opinions, but this has gone on long enough. Osama Bin Laden may not feel that you are paying enough at the pump, but you don't have his millions to pay your fuel bills with.

There is also an effort to stop buying gasoline on a particular day. Every business deals with ups and downs, but you have to come back to the pump; a day of poor sales isn't going to matter to multi-millionaires. However, a month, or a season, will wake them up. If we made a serious commitment to walk or bike more, we would all be healthier, and send a message to the oil companies.

Granted, many of us commute great distances to get to work, but taking the car around the block to pick up a half-gallon of milk is ridiculous. A little self-discipline goes a long way. Get rid of all gas guzzlers and don't even think of buying one.

Does anyone really need a 5.7 liter hemi? What are the auto manufacturers thinking? This is total gluttony, and we all know that the world's oil reserves will run out, so let's conserve what we have. In your home, or business, you should insulate everything possible. Many people, and businesses, already have done this, but heat is becoming too precious a commodity to take for granted.

Write your local legislators about alternative fuel sources. Let them know this is an important election issue. They have all sat on their rear ends long enough.

Foreign oil dependence has become our foreign policy; it's time to become self sufficient. The oil companies are currently engaged in price gouging, but we are not helpless. If we conserve, and get some action from government, it will be for the common good.

Paul Jerard, is a co-owner/director of Yoga teacher training at Aura Wellness Center. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org