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Gas prices are up on average over 20% for Americans in less than one month, in just a matter of weeks the average cost has grown to around $4.43 per gallon. 

On average, American households have been found to be spending over $5k per month on their expenses. 

That $5k per month on living includes over $800 on transportation. 

With transportation you need to consider other things aside from gas though like maintenance and repairs or insurance etc. On average for gas it has been found that Americans are spending about $130 monthly. With prices going up around 20% in a matter of weeks this means more Americans are going to be struggling to afford basic goods and services. 

# No Money to Spare
Previous investigations have found that most Americans wouldn't be able to afford an unexpected emergency of a few hundred dollars, and seeing a significant boost to their cost of living is something that will impact millions of people very clearly. 

# Democrats want to give away more $
In California Republicans have been discussing the idea of removing gas taxes which might make gas more affordable for individuals and families in the region. They've called for suspending the gas tax in the region as people struggle right now with the high prices. 

Democrats have come up with another idea which is giving out gas rebates that are around $400, but how they are giving out that $400 has many questions surrounding it. Some people drive more than others, some don't drive at all, some people might even get it if they don't have a car. But the democrats have argued that rather than do away with the taxes that fund precious transportation projects or roads etc, they would rather send out this payment instead. 

Democrats argue that if they suspended that extra cost on gas that it isn't a guarantee the gas companies would pass on that savings to the consumer. If that fee were taken away then those gas stations might boost their prices and try to make even more profit. But then that would make it unquestionably obvious what was going on in the market when everyone would be anticipating a price drop and saw it rise after a suspension in those extra fees if that were to happen. 

Some gas retailers are already taking a personal cut now to try and pass on that savings to customers, not everyone is a bad actor in the market and many are there to provide value to their community. 

Right now there is a lot of skepticism, and it seems to be growing as the price increases, along with conspiracies etc surrounding how those prices might be determined for some. 

When you lower the extra costs on gas you are directly helping each individual who goes to the pump with each gallon they are purchasing. Those who need the savings, the people buying gas, are the ones who will directly see that value with the change. 

Taking away a certain fee on gas seems a lot less complicated than a broad $400 gas rebate scheme. 

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Sources:
https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/national-international/average-us-gas-price-rises-22-in-two-weeks-to-record-4-43/2713232/
https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/poverty/590453-survey-finds-over-half-of-americans-cant-afford-a-1000
https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/americans-with-zero-savings-at-20-2019-3-1028029171
https://www.kcra.com/article/california-republicans-call-for-suspending-californias-gas-tax/39429641
https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Who-would-qualify-for-California-400-gas-rebate-17009984.php
https://www.kpbs.org/news/local/2022/02/28/lawsuit-accuses-oil-companies-of-colluding-to-keep-california-gas-prices-high
https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/research/average-monthly-expenses/