In their own words

(Editor's note: Below are comments sent to U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss by Georgians struggling amid America's energy crisis.)

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... My husband is a platoon sergeant training troops at Fort Gordon. I work at the Medical College of Georgia. We have a combined income of more than $70,000. It is becoming harder and harder to put money aside. Not only is the cost of gas rising, but the cost to heat and cool our home and the cost of groceries are all making it difficult to make ends meet. My husband re-enlisted September 2007, and we as a family came to the decision that even during this time of war, the Army was the only guarantee of a paycheck and health care coverage in the next few years. I hope Congress is putting aside its partisan issues and working together to help all Americans. Our nation will soon fall apart at the rate it is going now.

- from Augusta

Due to the high cost of gas, I am having to cut down on groceries and visit local food banks. My husband makes the same amount of money he did in 2007, but we just can't make ends meet. Gas prices have doubled the costs of some of the grocery items I used to purchase. I just can't do it! Please give us some relief! This is ridiculous! Americans are going hungry and losing everything!

- from Winder

Please work to help us with the prices of gas and its effects on every household's budget. We should be drilling anywhere and everywhere to alleviate this current situation. The brightest in this country need to be assembled and given the resources to come up with alternative energy sources. We need to have the nation go to a four-day work week starting with government agencies leading the way by example. ...

- from Montrose

I am a single mother of three. I had to take $20 out of my grocery money to pay for gas just to get to work. That is the only place I drive. The kids and I walk to our local stores if needed. This is not the American Dream, or the way we are supposed to live in the great United States! I can't afford a new car that is better on gas; I already drive a four-cylinder. Something's got to give.

- from Douglasville