The last time that we saw gas prices rising this quickly was in the 1970s, when Americans responded by cutting their gas use by 30 percent. Lisa Margonelli, author of "Oil on the Brain: Adventures from Pump to Pipeline," says the high price of oil is, in part, driven by one group of people that surprised us: oil speculators.

The Department of Energy is continuing to add to the nation's 700-million-barrel Strategic Petroleum Reserve at a time when oil prices are at all-time highs. Taxpayers are footing the bill.

Delta and Northwest Airlines have announced plans to merge, in a deal that will create the world's largest airline. The new airline will keep Delta's name and worldwide headquarters in Atlanta. Labor unions are up in arms over the deal which may result in job losses for pilots and administrative staff.