Anyone following U.S. politics knows that there is one topic that comes up again and again at campaign events: high gas prices. It is a dominant issue in both the presidential race and in local races across the country.

Those overseas who are used to paying much more than Americans for gas may have a difficult time understanding why this is such a problem in the United States. MTV’s Mississippi reporter Haley Crum explains how rising gas prices have impacted people in her state. Here are some excerpts:

“The harmful effect of rising oil costs on the American economy is old news, but how much gas prices are affecting small, rural states like Mississippi is a new issue in the media spotlight….

Mississippi has very little to no public transportation. While there may be the occasional car pool here and shuttle there, the mass transportation system in the state is almost non-existent. Residents in large cities like NYC are able to offset fuel costs by taking the bus or using the subway system. In Mississippi, even the capitol city, Jackson, has no public transportation system, which means residents must drive their own vehicles and therefore use more gas.

Also, in areas such as the Delta region, jobs are scarce, which forces many people to drive 20 miles or more to their place of work. Because this is the poorest region of the state, it is also full of older and less fuel efficient vehicles. Even in more prosperous areas of the state, a long commute is still common. …

The results of this problem are being seen. More and more restaurants are closing because people are eating out less to save gas. Farms are having a hard time maintaining their crops because of the gas and electricity their equipment must use. Stores are selling less, jobs requiring commutes are going unfilled. Apartments close to college campuses are in higher demand as college students look for ways to cut fuel costs. Everyone is being affected – young and old.”

For more, see “Cost of fuel hits South hardest.”

As part of its U.S. elections coverage, Campaign Trail Talk features reports from MTV’s 51 youth reporters, one from every state and the District of Columbia, who provide regular Internet updates on political issues that matter to their generation.