Do you recall the rhetorical ‘hook phrase’ question: “What’s in your wallet?” It was used in a branding ad for a credit card company and shown repeatedly on TV during the past several years.

These days, the response of most Americans would be “Less money” or “No money.” And those with credit cards still in their wallets — if they are still using them — are driving their card balances higher in order to be able to drive their cars to work.

Gasoline prices continue to climb around the United States as the price per barrel of crude oil continues to soar. AAA reports, “drivers pay $1.09, or 37 percent, more for a gallon of regular unleaded compared to this time last year.”

Yet, government officials and candidates continue to play political games while America’s citizens burn their hard-earned and devaluing dollars to pay for gas.

Readers of this column have been ahead of the media curve, and will recall the alerts and analytics published last year about the deteriorating financial dynamics affecting our citizens and the U.S. economy.

Then in March, we called on government officials to “Sharpen the drill bits, start drilling now,” noting that, “Increased domestic oil drilling must begin immediately …” because “gasoline literally fuels the American economy for individual mobility and to move food and goods for commerce …” and, therefore “… increased domestic oil drilling is absolutely necessary.”

In April, we benchmarked the situation, and, because of the political games orchestrated by the congressional majority, reported to you that “the economic, geopolitical and security situation of our country has continued to deteriorate … that (this) must stop,” and “There can be no further delay, nor further excuses.”

In June, we revisited the history of the two OPEC oil embargoes during the 1970s; how federal officials promised America’s citizens that we would become energy independent as a nation, and never again would they let the United States be held hostage by oil producing countries.

Those promises were broken by Presidents Nixon through Carter and the Democrat majority controlling the U.S. Congress throughout those years. And now, the current majority controlling the U.S. Congress continues to play political games as Americans suffer at the gas pump, in the grocery stores and more.

The so-called mainstream media seems to enjoy reporting how low poll respondents rate President George W. Bush’s job performance. Interestingly, survey participants rate the Congress even lower.

The fact is that Americans now evaluate the job performance of the U.S. Congress in the single digits. Congress under Sen. Harry Reid and Speaker Nancy Pelosi is rated at 9 percent, the lowest ever. That should surprise no one. After all, most Americans have figured out that the Reid-Pelosi duo are fixated on getting control of all three branches of the federal government and think they can manage the media message and politics to place the blame on the current administration.

There is, of course, more to the economic convulsion under way than oil independence. We have discussed other key factors in the past, including the real estate market, foreclosures, etc. and will again benchmark those and others in the weeks ahead. But, while every form of energy is a key element in the problem cocoon facing the United States right now, oil is preeminent.

Oil is vital to literally everything we need in modern American society, and to our national security.

To reiterate what we called for earlier this year: “All public land and owner-authorized private property within each of the 50 states plus all shorelines (must be) opened immediately to domestic drilling for oil, natural gas, etc. Additionally, every state will be expected to cooperate expeditiously, and welcome the construction of energy processing facilities within each state.”

It is irresponsible to wait any longer. November or January is unacceptable. The time is now.

Richard Olivastro is a professional member of the National Speakers Association, president of People Dynamics,an executive leadership development company, and founder of Citizens For Change. He can be reached at Rich@Olivastro.net or 877-RichSpeaks.