On Wed, 31 Aug 2005 14:14:57 -0600, "Grant Shipley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> said: > I just had to vent and I know the PLUG loves OT conversations. :) > > http://money.cnn.com/2005/08/31/news/gas_prices/index.htm > > Does our government not realize this is killing the average American?
We have what's called a market economy. Right now, increased demand worldwide is driving prices up. If gas gets too expensive, people will find alternatives and/or use less (e.g. by bicycling, taking the bus, or telecommuting to work instead of driving). Reduced demand will bring the price down. (You do realize that gas has been going for far more than $4/gal in Europe for _years_, right? Case in point.) Some things aren't very susceptible to reducing demand like this, but gasoline isn't one of them. Demanding the government intervene and try to accomplish something the free market is inherently better at (setting prices) is tempting but foolish. -Jonathan .-----------------------------------. | This has been a P.L.U.G. mailing. | | Don't Fear the Penguin. | | IRC: #utah at irc.freenode.net | `-----------------------------------'
