[P-40]

Perhaps talk some about what is happening to permanently solve the problem?

[b4its2late]

The Congress has the power to reduce the fuel tax and force the states to follow. But they do nothing except hope that they can tax the oil company. Guess who'll pass the tax on to the end user?

[frankiep]

How about investigating state governments, like the one here in NC, about why they want to keep raising gas taxes?

Silly me, of course taxes would have absolutelty nothing to do with higher prices now would they. (I don't think a sarc tag is needed)

[LIConFem]

To all congressional Republicans:

Forget price controls, and Drill, ye tarriers, Drill!!

[American Quilter]

"Anyone who is trying to take advantage of this situation while American families are forced into making tough choices over whether to fill up their cars or severely cut back their budgets should be investigated and prosecuted," the lawmakers said in their joint letter to Bush.

Let's start with the politicians who do nothing to provide gas, but tax us up to 40 cents per gallon.

[Seruzawa]

Funny how I woke up this AM and thought I heard a number of Democrats calling for price controls and various govt interventions re gasoline prices.... then I realized that these were Republicans!

[VRWCmember]

The Democrats also said the Republicans' demand for action lacks credibility because Republican lawmakers "have allowed oil and gas companies to line their campaign accounts with cash when they should have been cracking down on price gouging and rising gas prices."

Which party has repeatedly blocked expansion of domestic oil production (ANWR anybody?) and which party has consistently erected massive obstacles in the way of expanding domestic refining capacity?

[Will_Zurmacht]

Asking Bush to crack down on the oil industry is a lot like asking Clinton to crack down on perverts.....

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

Anyone who is trying to take advantage of this situation while American families are forced into making tough choices over whether to fill up their cars or severely cut back their budgets should be investigated and prosecuted," the lawmakers said in their joint letter to Bush.

From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.

[TChris]

More economic cluelessness and/or demagoguery from our esteemed Senators... *sigh*

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

The consumers of gasoline are driving up the price.....

check out the roads lately?

If you want lower prices....drive less!

[VRWCmember]

One of the many things the politicians fail to understand about the Law of Supply and Demand is that just because it is a "law" doesn't mean congress can have any effect on it.

[OldFriend]

Crack down on POTENTIAL price gouging.

Frist is a despicable pandering waste of a senate leader. As for Hastert, what happened to him?

[HOTTIEBOY]

Republicans fear they could lose the Senate and House of Representatives in this November's congressional elections if voters retaliate against them for the high fuel prices.

How about doing it because its your job to do whats best for your constituents (namely me) instead of doing it for political gain.

I know, I must be insane...

[Ohioan]

While supply constraints have contributed to the run up in oil prices, raw material prices in general have been surging because of the inflationary pressures unleashed by the massive Federal Deficits, which have the effect of inflating the supply of money and money substitutes. Prices ultimately reflect the ratio of money to goods and services. That is what inflation is all about, and Congress is a major culprit in the inflationary pressures now being felt.

The demagoguery of those in Congress, seeking to blame those bringing supplies to market, may be par for the course, in these days of moronic sloganized politics. But it does not reflect the realities of economics. (See Economics & Common Sense.)

William Flax

[MikeA]

Good job Republicans. Put out these kinds of messages which lend legitimacy to Democratic/media lies that somehow the president can wave a magic wand and control gas prices.

Clue to Congress: You have more control over the price of gas if you'd:

A) Vote to at least temporarily suspend all federal gas taxes and make due with these year's bloated transportation budget to cover next years as well. Gas prices would drop 18 cents a gallon.

C). Suspend all EPA clean air mandates imposed in the last decade, particularly the onerous 1997 Carol Browner mandates which have spiked fuel prices every spring since.

B). This one comes under the heading of "too late now," but you should have given liability protection to MTBE manufacturers. Their being driven out of business this spring by the trial lawyers is what has lead to fuel shortages as ethanol takes over the clean air additive job and can't begin to meet the same demand MTBE did.

But none of this can be done with presidential fiat. And we know you won't do any of it. Much easy to play into simple-minded notions about the president being the grand poobah and controlling authority over everything from the state of the economy, gas prices and the sun coming up in the morning than to actually ACT to do the things mentioned above which could nearly immediately mitigate the high price gas.

[Redbob]

"Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and House Speaker Dennis Hastert wrote President George W. Bush and asked him to direct the U.S. Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission to crack down on any potential price gouging."

Thus demonstrating for the whole world to see, just how ignorant of economics these two clowns are!

[pgkdan]

Republican congressional leaders on Monday urged the Bush administration to investigate whether oil companies are gouging consumers at the gasoline pump and if market speculators are pushing up fuel prices.

This is ridiculous and wrong headed! How about looking into the following:

Why we're not drilling in ANWAR
Why we're not drilling off the Atlantic or Pacific coasts
Why we're not processing shale oil from out western deposits
Why we haven't opened any new refineries in 30 years
Why we're not opening any new Nuclear Power Plants.

This is a perfect opportunity to take a baseball bat to the head of the demcrap party but our side just doesn't have any interest in playing hardball.

[D-Chivas]

I have a co-worker who was thinking about buying a more fuel efficient vehicle for his 90 mile round trip commute each day. He has a car that gets 22 mpg on the highway and cost $25,000 three years ago.

So now he's looking at cars in the $30,000 price range that get 26 mpg on the highway.

I kept my trap shut, but I wanted to say: Why Don't You Move Closer To Work? or Buying a more expensive car for 4 mpg ain't saving you any money, bud!

[Labyrinthos]

"...while American families are forced into making tough choices over whether to fill up their cars or severely cut back their budgets..."

Choices like $3 per gallon of gas or $8.00 per gallon for bottled water, $14 per gallon for really cheap beer, $30 for a gallon of crappy whine, or $6 per gallon for your favorite soft drink.