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As an illustration for my post right above -- Panic about fuel supplies is the real enemy, (and the Libs know that).

Tuesday, 19 September, 2000, 17:05 GMT 18:05 UK Ration warning over fuel panic

Petrol may have to be rationed if motorists continue to panic buy, oil companies have warned.
Unfounded rumours that blockades were about to be reintroduced caused huge queues at garages around the UK. The police, the government and oil firms appealed for calm.
The rumours, which started in South Wales, have spread rapidly to other parts of the country, leading to a warning from the Petrol Retailers Association that the situation could become "extremely serious". [snip]
The panic buying began when an inaccurate report on a local radio station in South Wales, Red Dragon FM, on Monday, said fuel protesters were about to restart their action.
BP warned that if the panic buying continued, the 46 sites previously designated for emergency only might once again have to be closed to the public.

I really don't think "panic buying" by the regular consumer is what is anywhere near the problem with these higher gasoline prices. The problem is the enviro-whacko/no drilling here, there, and everywhere, world supply and world demand, AND the actions of the big oil companies over the decades to limit refinery capacity. They have been well aware of what they have been doing.

It just amazes me that few people talk about that aspect, they just talk about that $400,000,000 retirement package (which was absurd) and oil company profits (nine cents on a gallon vs. fifty cents federal tax.