High gas prices are to blame for the cancelation of the Albert Lea Festival of Bands for this year, which before took place every June. Bands can&8217;t afford to travel here.

But there is another way to look at it, a global way:

Yes, China&8217;s growth has increased demand for oil, but turbulence in the oil-producing Middle East always increases prices, too. That is why presidents from both parties historically have pushed for peace in the region.

When America opted to send its military to war in Iraq, further complicating a complex Middle East situation, it was also opting to pay more at the pump. When America said it would fight a war in Iraq, many people failed to understand the consequences war would have on their pocketbooks. Some tried to warn them, but they wouldn&8217;t listen.

Sure, gasoline prices would be high because of a developing Asia. But would barrels of oil be trading higher than $100, $110, $115 without the war in Iraq? It&8217;s doubtful.

And now what do we get?

The cancelation of the Festival of Bands.

Wars require sacrifice. For the war in Iraq, the plan was for America to put the cost all on the federal credit card, forcing future generations (especially people who can&8217;t vote yet) to pay for it. This massive debt is now further devaluing the U.S. currency.

Perhaps the sacrifice we are making for this war is the price we&8217;ve had to pay for gas, which is now causing other prices such as food to go up.

The line is easy to connect. Wars aren&8217;t cheap. As much as Americans wanted to avoid sacrifices for the present war, we finally are having to make them.

America is vibrant enough to turn this economy around, but it will take unselfish, wise leadership and a serious reduction in the amount of military spending, the source of the massive U.S. debt.