Why can't the government do anything about the soaring gas prices?

Question

You would think there would be a way for them to make a law or SOMETHING to where gas companies couldn't charge us this much for fuel. It seems like they don't even care! Do they have any power that they aren't using? What are the government's options and why aren't they exhausting those options to help average consumers who are just having a hard time feeding their families because they have to pay so much in food and fuel!

Answer 1

So, who do you want them to rob so that you don't have to pay the fair market price?

Europeans have paid more than $5 per gallon since the 70's.

Your government has made it possible for you to have cheap fuel.  Now it's not possible and YOU want to have a tantrum and steal from SOMEONE, ANYONE so you don't have to pay your fair share.

Liberal ethics never cease to amaze me.

"s***w the world, I want mine NOW!"

(another Obama supporter)

Answer 2

We don't live in a communist country. Yet. Our government does not have the power to control prices. And what is the problem with gas prices anyway? It's just inflation.

1964 gallon of gasoline = 25 cents

1964 pack of cigarettes = 25 cents

Price of both today = around $4.00

What seems to be the problem?

Answer 3

The only thing the Govt. could do is take the taxes off of gas..

Oil companies sell to the highest bidder,  If we don't want it, China is in line and has a lot of American dollars..

There is a world wide food shortage, and the US Govt. can not solve it.   The Midwest flooding did a lot of crop damage and we will have to live through that..  

We have to face it, we are going to eat, but just not like we used to.  We will not have the abundance that we have had in the past..The good times have ended..

Answer 4

Because the government will not allow drilling on our own soil so we have to import oil from countries that are evil and barbaric.

Answer 5

It's really quite simple- the government is the problem!

  The congress two weeks ago tried to enact a law that made it illegal to price gouge- would you believe the Republicans killed the bill?

Answer 6

The oil companies are not driving the costs up.  The global price of oil is.  This only means that the government has NO ROLE in telling anyone what they can sell their product for.  And the oil companies are making a good but not excessive profit (10% - 11% on assets).

That isn't to say that there isn't a LOT that government CAN do, but there isn't any WILL to do it:

> Increase supply by opening new areas to drilling (ANWAR, Continental shelf, etc.)

> Reduce demand by deploying nuclear power plants and decommissioning gas, diesel, coal and natural gas powered platns.

> Reduce the taxes on gas...when the cost goes up, SO DOES the tax...like a percentage sales tax...but they won't even change the rate.

> Take steps to prevent companies from "speculating" in oil...pumping billions of dollars into contracts for oil, effectively reducing the supply.

> Providing incentives for businesses to re-tool to alternate fuel or high mileage vehicles to further reduce demand.

But like I said, there is no will to do any of it, because it is increasing tax revenues and lobbyists and special interests do not want things like pension funds from speculating freely.