Today, as the House of Representatives grills the oil industry over America's gas woes,  motorists are feeling "feulish." Nationally, gas is approaching the all-time inflation adjusted high (source) of $3.41 a gallon, set in 1981.

In San Diego, where gas prices have exceeded the inflation adjusted record for months, UCAN's gas project reports a current average price of $3.64 a gallon for regular.

Meanwhile diesel prices have increased by 36% in the last year to a new record high of $4.14 a gallon.

Last year on this day, gasoline cost $3.28 a gallon for regular, and diesel was much cheaper at $3.03 a gallon.

In the meantime, the price of oil, which is selling on the NYMEX today at $101 a barrel, cost just $66 a barrel last year - an increase of 53% that has not showed up at the pumps ... yet.

But perhaps the cruelest joke this April Fuel's day could be the hearings on high gas prices in the House of Representatives, as debates rage over why the oil industry should continue to get huge tax breaks at a time when it is enjoying banner profits. According to Representative Edward Markey, "These companies are defending billions of federal subsidies ... while reaping
over a hundred billion dollars in profits in just the last year alone."

Recently, a move to transfer Big Oil's welfare style tax subsidies to alternatives such as Solar, was blocked by Big Oil's friends in the Senate.

Historically, political heat tends to bring down fuel prices (get proof here). But if history repeats itself (and it probably will) consumers could get slight relief from gas pain as the hearings drag on. But if relief happens it won't be much and it won't last long. As soon as the political heat is off, the prices will start to climb again.

Right now the winds of history are at Big Oil's back.

In fact you could call it a wind from behind.

A powerful, mighty wind.