I don't want to get off on a rant here, but...

I was born and raised in New Jersey, and damn proud of it, but for the last 4 years I've made my home in Pennsylvania. In general I think PA is pretty groovy, even if nobody knows how to drive, but there's one thing I need to talk with my fellow residents about, because it's making them seem... well, a little dim. Sorry. It's these gas prices- what's the story? As in, why are they so much higher than in New Jersey? My friends, you are being taken. The basic message, as near as I can tell, is that you're willing to pay an extra 20-30 cents a gallon, minimum, for the privilege of getting out of your nice warm vehicle and pumping your own gas in the wind and the rain and the snow. If you're a postal worker in training, I guess I can understand that, but the rest of you? You know that scant miles to the east, literally just a drive down the road, lies a magical land where it's actually illegal to pump your own gas, right? There are people who do it for you (thus creating jobs, which let's face it, in this economy is a real boon), you aren't expected to tip them, and -- here's the part that'll blow your mind -- when it's all said and done you'll end up paying less money, not more. How, how have you not gotten on board with this? It boggles the mind. And I say this with great affection, because whether through Jersey osmosis or just being awesome in its own right, I truly believe that Pennsylvania is a great place to live... but man, you've gotta get on the ball. What, are we living in Russia? Don't let them turn you into chumps- demand cheaper gas and mandatory full service. It's what William Penn would have wanted.