This isn't a political blog, but it is a me blog, and sometimes me thinks about politics, so here you go.
There isn't a single part of me that doesn't shudder at the prospect of the government trying to 'help' in the matter of gas prices. First of all, the government's help is almost never that much of a help, and most often simply compounds an existing problem. I just can't get over the hypocrisy of the politicians, on both sides. As an example, consider, many experts have known that the housing market is over-inflated right? that houses are selling for more than they're worth, blah blah blah. This has ben the case for years. Why did the government see no need to investigate 'gouging' whatever the hell that is? Why did they not demand that we are 'addicted' to McMansions and put a stop to it. This situation is no different. Even after all this time, the government still can't seem to understand basic supply and demand. Demand is up, and supply is down. Therefore prices go up. Are oil execs a bunch of slimy corporate fat cats? Probably. But thats true of all corporate execs. Why single them out?
There was a time when the environmental movement was screaming to raise taxes, and therefore prices, of gas at the pump. This would spur a demand for more fuel efficient vehicles and encourage conservation. I was against this concept for creating false market forces. By the same token, I am against any effort by the government to keep gas prices low when the market is dictating otherwise. People never do anything unless they have to. If prices are high, and remain high, then conservation and lower consumption will be encouraged. People will modify their driving habits, their cars, newer technologies will be developed as corporations realize theres actually money to be made in alternative fuels.
Markets work. They're not pretty. Are they painful? You bet. Having a $10.00 a day commute sucks, and wil probably get suckier over time. But I'll take that over some government program designed to mess everything up even more.