Wow, I didn't realize that Japan's population was similar to the US. You really do learn something everyday... I agree, the desire for India and Chinese to bol

Wow, I didn't realize that Japan's population was similar to the US. You really do learn something everyday... I agree, the desire for India and Chinese to bolster the middle class is at the heart of the problems we will face in the next few years. We balk at paying $4/gallon for gas, but the folks in the East who have no historical frame of reference like we do, may easily accept $8/gallon. (I hate saying we, since some Y!Hackers aren't from the US, you know what I mean...) If this is true, then Eastern oil importers can bid much higher prices, pushing our prices higher.