I can adjust to gas prices fluctuating and getting higher. I can become more efficient, drive a more economical vehicle, and I can lobby my customers and employers to use more fuel conservation solutions.
However, I can't have the value of my money go down faster than the rate of my income's growth. I can't buy more expensive food, and pay for more expensive utilities forever. Something has to give. It's sad that it requires gas prices for people to notice to effects of real world inflation and trade policy, when everything is fucked with.