Bush recently stated his concern for rising fuel costs though his sentiment and actions to curb these costs seemed rather lackadaisical.  At a recent conference, Bush attempted to charm his way out of answering questions relating to growing concern for rising gas prices & accused the reporter of “dragging him into the 08 Presidential Race” by questioning his plans and/or solutions to increasing fuel costs in comparison with McCain, Clinton and Obama’s policies.  As advocates of less fuel consumption we’re concerned by the president’s nonchalant approach as well as concerned with the presidential candidates’ potentially ill fated solution which is influenced by political motives.

 

Those of us who oppose the gas tax holiday do so for good reason.  There has been much scrutiny of what temporarily reducing gas prices could do.  A tax cut could cause a surge in demand enabling prices to rise at an even faster rate than they are now particularly during the summer months when demand is higher.  Truth be told, higher prices and speculation that prices will continue to rise in the future has in effect caused a drop in consumption.  For more than 6 consecutive weeks gas prices has risen and the trend will likely continue throughout the summer.

 

The U.S. consumes about 385 million gallons a day.  Americans only have themselves to blame for the massive consumerism that has landed us in the middle of a crisis.  For one, Americans have undeniably consumed more and more gas over the last decade thanks to our high demand for gas guzzlers.   Car company exec’s themselves have admitted the continual production of SUV’s and trucks is due to the existing demand.  Lastly, legislators have failed to create, impose or put into action any viable gas price solution over the years; rather they propose vague, half-hearted plans i.e. the Gas Tax Holiday.

 

If nothing is done now then our future is doomed with perhaps 10 dollar a gallon prices.  In 1992, former Senator Paul Tsongas may have foreseen today’s crises.  During his bid for the Democratic Presidential nomination he proposed a 50-cent gas tax to control demand and fund research and development for alternative fuel though the bill was unanimously rejected.  At the time gas cost a whopping 1.04 a gallon- go figure.