High gas prices remain a major concern

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!"