I seem to remember from my economic classes that some goods have an upper (ceiling) and lower (floor) price limit. Gas could go down if people stopped buying it, but it doesn't mean that it would have to.
Also, companies maximize profits. Lets say that 100 people could afford to buy gas if it was $1 per gallon. And lets also say that only 10 people could afford to buy gus if it was $15 per gallon. It would be more profitable to set the price higher.
Its not a choice to buy gasoline in the U.S. If you want to survive, you have to pay for fuel one way or another. With very rare exception, the major 'choice' that laser keeps screaming about is to either buy gasoline or die.
Laser, you need to get your money back from the university you're going to.