High gas prices remain a major concern

Posted Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at 2:45 PM

Is anyone listening out there?

Is there a politician who is willing to actually do something about the high price of gasoline? Is there anything our politicians can do to bring down the price of gas?

If politicians believe the American people don't care about the high price of gas, they're wrong. Dead wrong.

According to a poll conducted by the Greene County Daily World, with over 1,793 votes cast, the high price of gas is at the top of the list of things they want to see the new president tackle.

The question: If the new president in 2009 could deliver on one promise, which would you prefer?

The results:

*	Pull out of Iraq within six months: 21.5 percent. (386 votes)
*	Gas prices would be reduced to $2.50 and stay there for a year: 54.5 percent. (977 votes)
*	Free health care for all American citizens, though federal taxes would increase by 5 percent: 24.0 percent. (430 votes)

It's clear that gas prices hurt Americans in more ways than one. Adding $20 or more per week just to fill up your car, SUV or truck is the most obvious. But it goes much deeper than that.

The items we purchase at grocery and department stores are higher because it costs more to haul items from Point A to Point B.

What are people saying about the issue? The following comments were left on our Web site:

*	"What about a reduced federal government and better control over the economy?"
*	"I would like to see the U.S. pull out of Iraq, but I don't think it could possibly happen in just six months."
*	"Everything is linked to the price of gas, even health care."
*	"Are we getting any oil from Iraq? And they have the space for refining oil to gas, so why are we not doing something more profitable while we are there?"
*	"Depending on who wins, federal taxes will go up 5 percent anyway so might as well get free health care out of it."
*	"If we pull out of Iraq the other problems would eventually be solved."
*	"All these would be great."
*	"Well, this choice was a rather difficult one to make. While the idea of pulling all troops out of Iraq has been the dream of families world wide, it is most unrealistic. The damage has already been done and the war will still continue with or without our presence in the Middle East. Gas prices. For many people all over the United States, lower gas prices would be such a relief. The truth of the matter is, the price of gas lies not within the control of the government. Doesn't anyone remember economics? It's all a matter of supply and demand. As blissful as lower gas prices would be, the idea of that is too unrealistic. So that leads me to the third option. Many citizens of this country cannot afford health insurance or care of any kind. This would benefit probably the best and this option is more tangible than the other two."
*	"Why not $.99 a gallon for the gas?"
*	"Everything is attached to the price of gas and diesel per gallon."
*	"I would like to see income tax gone and a federal sales tax in its place."
*	"How about lessening some federal spending to pay for health care for citizens?"
*	"Free health care like in France would help so many Americans."
*	"None of the above have long-term practicality, but stable energy prices would certainly be helpful."
*	"There has to be a cap put on these outrageous gas prices!"

Comments
Showing comments in chronological order
[Show most recent comments first]

What are the politicians supposed to do about it? Nothing.

It's not their job to artificially reduce market prices.

The best we can hope for would be tax-free gas. That will help a small amount...with problems.

Tax money doesn't just go to hundred dollar hammers, ya know. If we cut gas tax money, we will lose a lot.

For starters, our road will enter into disrepair, because gasoline tax is hypothecated to roads and maintenance.

If we don't have money to maintain roads, what else might we lose? Jobs!!!

PEOPLE repair roads.

I'm sorry everyone, but it's just got to come down to the consumers to change the supply/demand for gas prices to go down.

They charge it because we pay it.

-- Posted by per moenia urbis on Wed, May 14, 2008, at 9:33 PM

Per,

Good points. The sad thing is that $30-40 of the price of a barrel of oil is speculation. But, when you are dealing with a product that is part of a market,you are also dealing with some greed. The oil price is not all supply and demand related, though much of it is. I am a little disturbed that some people are more concerned about the price of gas than they are bringing our troops home or providing health care to the less fortunate.

-- Posted by Gene Hall68 on Thu, May 15, 2008, at 9:10 AM

Per,

-- Posted by Gene Hall68 on Thu, May 15, 2008, at 9:19 AM

Aha, america, Sounds like you'd like 4 more years of living in the Bush.

Only a fool would assume that you could continue to pay billions for a war that can't be won, year in and year out and think that your economy is going to flourish.

Sure you can drill more oil, but keep in mind oil is a finite natural resource that we have been depleting for years. It won't last forever, unless you are living in a fairy tale.

You can replenish our supply for awhile, that's a given, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. So you can enjoy a few more years of low gas prices, how foolish, how selfish can you be? Your kids and your grandkids, if you have any, will reap what you sow.

The definitive word in this short essay is finite. It basically means that the resource won't last forever.

Development of alternative energy sources is the critical solution to the future of our succeeding generations. If we really cared enough about them or at least care more about them than ourselves, we would be investing arduously to make sure their future doesn't portend such doom and dispair.

The Chinese use of oil in the last 5 years has doubled and predictions are that it will triple in the next 5 years, so what you do, what I do, or what our government does to decrease our demand or increase our supply, will not amount to a pimple on an elephant's ass.

Finite, just remember that word the next time you fill up.

-- Posted by simmons on Fri, May 16, 2008, at 4:19 AM

you make a good point buck, gas prices are becoming a joke, but I think a more serious issue are our family members and friends that are overseas.......

-- Posted by TDavid on Sat, May 17, 2008, at 6:13 AM

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