Penn State students who rely on only their legs to get them from Point A to Point B might be one of the last American demographics to not be financially devastated by gas prices hitting $3 per gallon.

But none of us are going to be too happy when we graduate from college, only to spend a huge portion of our first paychecks on gas to get us to and from work.

And finally, our government seems to be doing something about it.

President Bush announced Tuesday his plan to combat rising oil prices and America's addiction to gasoline. The first idea is to temporarily halt deposits to the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve in an effort to put more oil on the market.

He also called for a probe into possible price gouging by the oil market and a reduction of the $2 billion in government assistance and tax breaks for oil companies during the next decade.

Basic supply and demand principles suggest the effort to halt deposits might work, though some have said Bush's idea would have little to no significant impact.

Similarly, Bush's motivation for making Tuesday's announcement is something to consider.

Gas prices have been rising consistently for months, but
only now has Bush stepped up
to do something about it.

Could the president's slipping approval ratings -- which reached a new record low recently -- have something to do with it? Is this just an effort to improve the Republican president's popularity before midterm congressional elections?

Perhaps this is nothing more than a public relations tactic to appease consumers until the next big issue hits the limelight.

Regardless of Bush's motivation, his plan is nothing more than a short-term plan to a serious problem.

It's now up to the American people to keep this administration focused on the goals it has set.