Gas prices are skyrocketing nationwide, and Americans are angry that they have to spend more of their hard-earned money at the pump each week.

The crisis in Northern Africa, specifically in Libya, has led the dramatic rise in the cost of oil over the past month, which now tops $101. And with summer approaching, Americans are fretting over whether to hit the highway for vacation because of the price of gas. It's averaging $3.54 nationwide and is expected to go even higher.

Our political leaders? Some Democrats and Republicans are leaning on President Barack Obama to open the strategic petroleum reserve and use some of the millions of oil barrels we have on tap to alleviate the price.

In his news conference on Friday, President Obama said he'll release the oil if needed.

"All options are on the table when it comes to any supply disruption," he said.

Is this Groundhog Day or what? Three years ago, this nation went through convulsions when gas prices skyrocketed. Folks were sharing rides, which pushed elected officials to broaden public transportation plans. Hybrids and electric cars started getting a second look from gas-conscious drivers. And all the talk was about alternative energy and not being dependent on Arab leaders in the Middle East.

And when those gas prices went back down? We yelled, screamed and cheered. Forgetting about all the pain we endured, we then pulled the SUVs out of the garage and filled them up with gasoline.

This is the American story: Alleviate us from our pain, so we can go back to business as usual. And when the crisis responds, we'll fret, scream and go bonkers.

Please, stop the madness! When are we simply going to reach the conclusion that as long as this nation has a Charlie Sheen-like addiction to gas, our chains can be yanked at any time, which will send our economy into a tailspin?

The U.S. Energy Department predicts that with the dramatic rise in gas prices, the average American family will spend an additional $700 annually on gas. And with money already tight, that is a huge hit.

Unfortunately, our crack-like view on oil continues to lead us down the road of agony and despair. Our political leaders have no courage to own up to the special interests and gas lovin' Americans. They say, "Dammit, enough! We can't move forward like this!"

Democrats and Republicans are now saying President Obama needs to allow for drilling off the U.S. shores. Really? So, that's the only answer? Everyone knows there isn't enough oil to satisfy America's thirst. But oh, no, we keep this charade up.

America will never be able to transition our system from an oil-dependent economy to an alternative plan, unless we accept the courage to make the tough choices today and get the payoff later.

I don't care what Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-Minn.) says about the energy-efficient light bulbs. The old ones were cheaper, used more energy, and I had to buy a lot more. The government forcing a new light bulb standard caused some pain on the front end with my wallet, but over the long term, fewer bulbs are being bought, and I'm seeing the decrease in my light bill.

Until this nation accepts this reality, we will continue to be driven crazy by oil-possessing countries.

This alternative energy must be based on wind, natural gas, electric and solar. How can the United States create solar technology and then allow the Chinese to become the leading manufacturer of wind turbines and solar panels?

Embracing non-oil energy alternatives can absolutely create jobs in this country, and we should require Americans to make their home more energy efficient with products built by Americans. What's wrong with that?

No one alternative energy source can replace oil. It has to be a comprehensive plan that addresses our long-term needs. And it is going to mean that we spend money. Yes, we will be impacted in the short term, but if someone told me we could spend $500 billion today, and that would create millions of jobs over the next several years and lead to an energy economic transition, I would ask where I should sign up.

But when we have no courage, we will lose every time.

So if the only thing you know is "drill, baby, drill," and that gas is our only option, great. Have a great time. And every time gas skyrockets, just smack yourself upside the head with that gas pump, since you're the reason we remain stuck on stupid when it comes to energy in this country.

Roland S. Martin is an award-winning CNN analyst and the author of the book "The First: President Barack Obama's Road to the White House as originally reported by Roland S. Martin." Please visit his website at www.RolandSMartin.com. To find out more about Roland S. Martin and read his past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.