The recent surge in gas prices leaves us conflicted.

While no one likes to pay more money, this kind of explosion in prices is the only thing that will get many Americans to reassess our dependence on foreign oil - not to mention the urgency of global warming.

Let’s face it, most people don’t care about polar bears, nor do they make the connection that cutting back on fossil fuels is good for national security and the environment. Their bank accounts? That’s another story.

Sadly, it will get worse before it gets better, and (despite what a pair of pandering candidates and their stupid gas tax holiday tell you) the already-strapped middle class will disproportionately bear the burden.

The cartoon below, entitled “Hitting the Road,” tries to capture the current mood of the energy crisis causing widespread economic panic.

NOTE: This political cartoon was created by and is property of journalist, cartoonist and friend of Donkey Dish, Andrew Wahl. Visit his blog, Off the Wahl, for more!