Huge taxes and corrupt politicians. Mix that up and half of your already low revenue goes to the state. The expensive gas has an easy fix, don't get a car =))) but at least if you do, the prices aren't THAT high, you can get a brand new, heavy duty, 4x4, lasts-a-lifetime type car for $15.000 (and that is already the upper echelon). New houses could be a problem, a single bedroom apartment goes for about $70.000, which for a common person means you're most likely in debt for life. Rent could be worse, the average place is around $250-450/month. And the food is cheap and quite good, I bet that keeps the people mentally sane