MICHELLE BERNARD:

Like most of the American public, I have stood at the pump at my local filling station and cursed the cost of gasoline. Yet, after filling my tank I inevitably drive to Starbucks to stand in line with other women seeking a reprieve from morning mommy detail, handing over $4.24 without batting an eye as I order my beloved venti, soy chai latte.

The other morning I had, as Oprah might say, an “aha” moment. After paying for my cup of tea, I thought “What’s wrong with this picture? Why am I complaining about the price of gasoline while forking out what is arguably a lot of money for a cup of hot water and spices?”

Mothers and fathers beware – if certain members of Congress have their way, you will not be standing in line at Starbucks any more because you’ll be too busy waiting in mile-long lines to get gasoline.

Maybe the solution is for Starbucks to go into the gasoline business, so that people will be happy to pay outrageous prices.