High gas prices

Of course Americans are not happy about having to pay more than they would like for the gas in their cars, but are we learning a good lesson from this about making better economic decisions? In light of this post, and this article, I got to thinking. Are the American people learning to be more fiscally conservative without even realizing it? Will we go back to our carefree spending if and when the prices at the pump drop substantially closer to what they were a year or two ago? Is there any chance our elected representatives in Washington will learn to be fiscally responsible anytime soon?