With gas prices approaching $3 a gallon, the cries about price gouging have again arisen, just eight months after they first came up when gas prices spiked following Hurricane Katrina.

Yes, gas is expensive, and paying twice as much as you used to fill a vehicle is not fun. But we’re not talking price fixing here; it’s price gouging, an act by an owner of a company or store.

Sure, there are outrageously expensive gas stations out there, but there are also those that are much less expensive. So doesn’t the consumer have some responsibility if they think they are getting gouged. Perhaps, consumers could take some initiative and drive to a different gas station where prices are cheaper?

Just a block from my home, there are three gas stations where the prices vary with one being the most expensive and another being in the middle and a third being the least expensive. While the prices differ, rarely do the stations’ price rankings change.

Yet, I routinely see people filling-up at the most expensive station while there is no line at the cheapest station. With an attitude like that, these people deserve to be gouged, simply because they make no effort to cross the street to pay less for fuel.

There have always been some gas stations that you know will cost much more than others. Like those filling stations on the turnpike. They were high before gas was expensive, and now they cost just that much more than anywhere else.

Paying the inflated prices is all right if you’re into that and are too lazy to get off the highway where prices are cheaper. But don’t complain about getting gouged.

I think the biggest gougers in the whole gas market are the state and federal government.

The same folks who are complaining about excessive profits of oil companies (I thought the purpose of being in business was to make money) are also the same people taking their fair share out of every gallon sold in their respective state. Maine takes 25.9 cents and is considering yet another increase, while the federal government takes 18.4 cents per gallon. Lower these taxes and then whine, but not before.

Still, it occurs. The Maine Legislature passed a price gouging bill earlier this year that takes affect during “abnormal market disruptions” and does not seem to do a whole lot of anything other than make some legislators feel good about themselves. In fact, some economists think legislation such as this exacerbates a problem rather than helps.

While the state is looking into gasoline price gouging I think there are some other areas that could also be investigated for possible price gouging.

One that comes to mind is chocolate covered pretzels. I find it hard to believe that a bag of these pretzels made by Nestle can run as high as $3 per bag. There aren’t that many pretzels. Then there are chocolate covered pretzels made by Snyder’s that cost something like $7 per box. I have never tried them.

Where is my representative when I need him? I mean these things are good, but who can afford to pay $7 per box, along with the other associated taxes.

Milk is another obvious area where price gouging could be occurring. With a gallon of milk costing more than a gallon of gas, every consumer knows we’re getting ripped off. Still there’s nothing we can do, except take the drastic step of eating dry cereal in the morning.

Cereal is another area that should be looked at. I can’t believe how expensive it is and it’s not only the high sugar, low quality product like Frosted Flakes. The prices on Special K, Shredded Wheat and Grape Nuts are high enough to make me want to call the Attorney General and report “Price gouging in Aisle 3.”

Nearly everything sold at a convenience store could be worthy of a price gouging investigation. A 16-ounce bottle of Coke for $1.50? That’s a bit steep. However, if I’m thirsty and waiting to fill up my vehicle with $45 worth of fuel, sometimes I will stop in and purchase a drink. I know I’m overpaying, but the state hasn’t begun to look into 7-11’s selling practices yet.