The world has been a whirlwind of changes which have been a rapid spiral of uncertainty in the last few years underneath Donald Trump’s second presidency.
Whilst we are in the midst of war with Iran, there has been an eruption of circumstances which come along with it that are in response to the overflowing expenses that come with bombing foreign countries.
One of the most immediate concerns for America which has been felt nationwide are the astronomical gas prices which have skyrocketed in mere weeks.
As for the reality for those on campus, it has not been easy and has evidently caused several students to panic, leading to uncertainty. Since CSULA is a commuter school, there are a variety of cities surrounding LA which students drive from. These places range from cities like Altadena all the way to Fontana.
Since this is undoubtedly something which is affecting just about everyone on campus, there are a lot of questions which can be asked about the current affairs that afflict the students.
With that, there is a Q & A which has been conducted and implemented in order to collect immediate data regarding the concerns of the campus wide consciousness.
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Starting with 4th year student Alexis Narviez who drives from Whittier every morning.
How has it changed these last few months since the war has started?
I mean just gas, gas is expensive now, my car takes the most expensive gas.
Do you have any thoughts on the oil crisis?
I just want regular prices, honey.
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The next person who answered questions about the matters was Greg Byrick, a professor in the history department who drives from Pasadena everyday.
How have things changed since the gas prices have started to skyrocket?
Well, it hasn’t really affected me in the sense that I’ve changed my driving habits. I mean, it’s more expensive, but I guess I’m lucky that I can afford it at this point. So it really hasn’t affected me. How much I drive or where I drive that much as of now.
Have you seen it affect other people around you?
Well, it costs more, so they’re spending more of whatever they earn on or whatever money they have on gas, obviously. And I have seen, like my daughter drives less, because she, you know, doesn’t have extra money to pay for the higher prices.
How are you coping with this? Is there anything you’re changing?
Not as of yet, but I could see if it keeps going up, as some people say it might, or will, yeah, I would have to reassess. Although, you know, in the summer, I don’t drive as much. Because I don’t teach. I don’t have to go to school as much.
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Next, students Destiny Flores and Lupe Moran who live near each other, about 20 minutes from campus express their perspective on the oil crisis.
How has this been affecting you?
Flores: For me, it’s the same thing, since we live in the same area right now, we’re currently carpooling. Because it’s that reason as well. With us, usually, what would be like a 15 minute drive with traffic ts and to 45.
What else have you noticed is changing since this rapidly rising inflation?
Moran: I think, well, I pumped twice a week. So twice a week comes out to work, maybe, like, $200 on top of like, already paying the car on top of the insurance. It’s like, $200 added on for gas when it would be like, it would be less than $100 before.
Is there anything you are not able to do now that you could do before?
Flores: We love to go to places and I’m willing to drive far for like, a few little cafes, but with these prices, it’s kind of like, do I really want the coffee you really want to go? So we really need to try that new place all the way over there? Literally, like, I’ll be making macha at home.
What are your thoughts about Trump and all that has changed since came into office?
Moran: Why were you promising, like, cheaper stuff, like, cheaper houses, cheaper gas, this and that? But I still see the gas going up every day. And everything is so expensive.
Things just get worse. Everything is political, unfortunately. And then complaining about the gas prices, babe, that is political. I feel like that’s the problem with these things, but I don’t want to get canceled.
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A commuter from Whittier and administrative assistant, Eileen Osuna agreed to also answer some questions about the matters.
How have you been coping with the gas prices and how they can skyrocket?
It’s been hard. My commute’s kind of long and so far commute, and I’m, you know, I went from putting maybe $40 of gas to now I’m putting $70 to $80 of gas and I don’t have a new car, you know, it’s an older car, so I just think it’s insane, you know, and it’s a smaller car. It’s not a truck, it’s not an SUV, it’s nothing crazy. And it just keeps going up every week, it feels like, you know, I was keeping an eye on how much I was spending at first, it’s an extra five dollars and now it’s almost double bad. And I’m putting it on once a week.
What kind of changes have you been making? Have you been taking more public transportation?
I have been going out less for sure just cause it’s like, do I want to spend more money on gas? And then also, you know, any expenses that I might spend going out, whether it’s food or anything else that I might see that I might buy. And I’ve also been considering taking public transportation here because it’s a lot. And obviously if I take public transportation, it would be cheaper.
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Lastly, Miyana king, a fourth year psychology student reflects on her experience on the gas.
What is one thing that you are witnessing in the face of these horrific gas prices?
Uber seems to have gotten a lot more expensive and I talked to a driver recently and they are barely making ends meet because of these damn prices!
Why is this something we should be aware of?
Because uber takes a certain percentage away from the driver. It’s not only taking away the privilege to drive but it is taking away jobs as well. Yuck! I just can’t with this country!
What other thoughts do you have on the matter?
It’s important to have safe, reliable transportation that is accessible to everybody and the more gas prices go up the more everything else does too. It’s quite frightening!
