I remember the 70's gas "crisis" all-too well. Congress stopped short of any real punishment of the Big Oil gougers and when the EPA tried to get Big Oil to clean up their refineries, Big Oil simply closed and mothballed scores of them.

Lately, quite a few of those have been quietly sold and or shipped offshore, completely out of American control. We are only seeing the continued flow of lawlessness and profiteering that has gone on throughout my lifetime (50 years in June). There's plenty of outrage on the street and fury at the pump, but so long as the "contributions" keep flowing into DC, I heartily doubt we'll ever see any relief from the piracy.

$75,000 a minute take? Hell, I'd love to see that in a year (sigh) Can't anyone tell me what they're doing is moral or right.

Every year these scumbag oil companies do this to the American people out of greed and the last 2 years the gas prices in the spring have been worse than ever and these oil companies continue to use their fake excuses which no body believes. All the government does is talk. People are tired of the b.s. just talking does nothing. The government should do something now to punish the oil companies for this price gouging!!! The prices where I am for regular is up to $3.29 per gallon. It's time for this government to actually do something instead of just talking about it. Punish the oil companies!

Are they paying any taxes on the profits now that the GOP have given them permanent tax cuts and incentives?

It's around $3.70/gallon in Chicago. And the Public Transit companies are running out of money and are threatening to cut services in July.

Besides the obvious of needing to investigate price manipulation, the Democrats better get on the ball and do something about those contracts that give away oil for free to these big companies because of an "error" that the IG found years ago.

it's up to $3.21 here in CT, and climbing daily.

When you read that Exxon/Mobil made a $2 Billion profit, in ONE QUARTER, there is something very, very wrong here!

They need to lock these guys up. They are criminals !

It`s going to put a strangle hold on this country and I really don`t see any quick end to this.If heard talk of people getting together on a specific day and not buying gas.That seems to be something that would really get these greedy .............attention.

Where are the in investagains into the record profits for the oil companies? We were promised that the oil executives would be questioned under oath about price gouging after hurricane Katrina. Why have this not happened? Where are the Dems? Come on, my patients have run out. I’m a Life long Dem and very disappointed in our party to date.

Lets just do a Chavez and take control of Big Oil lol. National Real American Citizens Unite hostile takeover we have militias.
Every citizen could just pump gas and not pay for it they cant arrest millions of people lol.

Okay seriously though Big Oil runs our politics and something drastic needs to be done to stop them. Waiting on our Democrats seems like a waste of time to me. I am all for democrats but they back down to easily while the republicans stay hardcore together even when they know theyre sinking hoping the Democrats timidness and unsureness will breath new life into them (again).
The republicans keep getting more corrput because the Democrats are easily scared off and disorganized. The repubs are hardcore together like the Nazi's. Unlike the Nazi's though they have found easier and quieter ways to gain power.

After all that im still at a loss of what to do.

I have never in my life seen highway robbery legal. If I did what the gas companies are doing
I would be put in jail and have the key thrown out. What the hell is the matter with this country?? Do we only care about rich people and to hell with the middle and lower class. This is going to destroy the economy. And with this Damm war this country is gong to die a slow death and the DAMM Democrats and Republicans do not give a SHIT. And I see that the people have finally woke up to global warming. Its about time I say. We have only been taking about for the last 30 years.

Why can't we stop buying gas from Exxon/Mobil this would cause them to lower their prices and wouldn't the rest of the Companies have to follow suit?

Republicans talk a lot of spin about their tax cuts. Maybe Democrats should contact the media and remind them those tax cuts are out the window with record high gas prices and an endless war in Iraq. This administration is going to go down as the worst in the history of the country!

FASCISM is the problem. Private corporations controlling our representative government, otherwise gas prices would be reasonable. As long as WE THE PEOPLE allow a minority of fascists, private corporations, to control our government, WE THE PEOPLE will continue to pay for their fascist control; and the fascist minority, on their way to the bank, will be laughing at the stupidity of WE THE PEOPLE, the majority, as the fascists collect the money connived by fascist laws from WE THE PEOPLE in numerous and varied ways.

Hilary Clinton is a fascist. Anyone who is in favor of corporations running the government's representatives, instead of WE THE PEOPLE, is a fascist.

Quit whining. Ronnie told us that American business leaders are the most ethical, honest people in our country who really don't need to be regulated because they would never gouge us. And if you believe that George can tell you all kinds of other reasons why we should trust big business.

Reducing oil dependency is a good thing as long as the government doesn't step in to stop it. In my state every time a individual trys to come up with alternative fuel to burn in his own vehicle the state comes along and wants to tax it. What is the point. Most of your BIO fuels cost more than regular fuels. Where are all the big tax breaks for these companies? Not only are the oil companies making big profits they are also getting large tax breaks. There is always another crisis around the corner to jack up the price. Prive gouging should be looked into here.

Okay, I keep reading all of these people begging the gov't to do something about the oil prices and stuff, and also that the gov't does nothing but talk. Okay, first of all, if you're so furious about the gas prices, do something yourself and don't worry about everyone else. That's what this wonderful country is about: doing things for oneself.

Secondly, why should the gov't punish anybody for having too high of prices. I'm not so sure anybody wouldn't do the same thing if they had that position. Business is all about profit and making as much of it as you can. If you take away the profit, you take away the business and the products it produces. If you tax the bank out of Big Oil, you don't get Big Oil and you're stuck riding a bike around town (not a bad idea, actually, except for those of us who enjoy every minute of living as far away from people as they possibly can)

Those are my thoughts

OK mnaughto, you have said if we do not like the gas price then we must do something. Well I do. I vote for people that want to be energy independent from the middle east. I use Amsoil a synthetic oil in my car and truck. I use Bio-Diesel when ever I can, but there are not to many places as of right now. And some have said stop buying gas. How many people can do that when we have get to work everyday. So saying that. I think there are a lot of people that do there best to tell the oil companies to go to HELL.
But we can only do so much because the common person only has so much power. It really starts with the people in office. If they let the oil companies get away with robbery then there is nothing we can do.

Why doesn't the government run our energy industry entirely and build some nuclear brita reactors like in france? Mike Gravel '08

And the democratic response to high gas prices has been to? I thought so.....Nothing!

With the cost of fuel, prescription drugs, Iraq, health care, and a host of other issues. Why can't the party pull itself together to show some backbone on these issues?

UP with reindustrialization and competition by the U.S. Economy with other National Economies and DOWN with financialization of the U.S. Economy for SHORT-TERM PROFIT by the financial class of the U.S.

This is the problem and we need to stop blathering about all of the other irrelevant flotsam and jetsam and start to be concerned about finding a solution to this problem before China becomes the preeminent economy of the WORLD and the shortsighted greed of the U.S. financial class enables it to be so at the expense of the 70% majority population of the United States, the WORKING AND POOR CLASS AND CULTURE.

WE THE PEOPLE, the 70% majority population of the United States, have the power to make reindustrialization of the United States happen if WE THE PEOPLE choose to do so; WE MUST CHOOSE TO DO SO.

Good. I'm glad gas is getting more expensive. Americans need to drive less and take public transporation. If we drive less, there will be less emissions and this will eventually force more fuel-efficient cars. We are facing catestrophic climate change, does anyone really think we should be driving MORE?

Most other countries have gas that is much more expensive than ours. We drive too damn much, this should help that.

WE THE PEOPLE, the 70% majority population, the general population of the United States, have the voting strength to elect representatives and force laws to be passed that will force reindustrialization of the U.S. Economy so that U.S. products of manufacture can compete in world markets for market share that will in turn provide the life's blood of added value to the U.S. Economy if we choose to do so.

WE MUST CHOOSE TO DO SO.

I'm a little confused by what I see. Our current president is from an oil family who has close ties to the Saudis. Why has no one has put two and two together? Georges family and friends all get rich at the expense of the average American who strains financially. Oil is currently $20.00 per barrel less than the high it hit last year but, gasoline prices are now higher than a year ago. I though we had laws against price gouging and monopolies for a reason. As usual these do not apply to George and his circle of friends.

Just a quick note to let the nation know that we in WA state pay some of the highest gas taxes in the nation and those gas taxes are going up again on July 1st. We are currently paying $3.30 per gal for low grade. Interesting thing is we have Democratic Senators - Murry and Cantwell. These wonderful gas taxes came in through our Democratic WA State Congress and were enacted by the signature of our Democratic Governor - Gregoire. So am really wondering what this grand Democratic Party is going to do to help lower the gas prices. The last I knew, our Democratic party had the House and the Senate. Pelosi and Reed's silence is stifelling. I would really like to know when and how they are going to reduce the prices I pay at the pump. Specifically how they are going to do something for us out here in WA State. After all WA State is one of their Blue States. Thanks -

We need to impose a tax on crude oil to quickly get people to curtail their usage. Short term it will hurt the economy, however you will see the futures market in crude and gasoline shrink. It will also give alternative fuel companies here in the US the oppurtunity to compete with fossil fuels. This will further crimp demand which in turn will further reduce our enemies ability to raise money to fight us. the only way to really fight our enemy is to cut off their money supply which we are supporting by driving large cars and not decreasing our energy consumption

The following article is not about gas, but it does show this Project For The New American Century government cares nothing about the American citizen who receive their food products from separate stores, which are NOT the high-end stores.

Right Wing Evisceration of OSHA
The Creation of Human Misery, Suffering, Pain and Death

Today, we're going to discuss another example of the right-wing letting their ideology trump science, and in the process, increase human misery, suffering, pain and death.

It concerns...microwave popcorn, of all things. You wouldn't think manufacturing popcorn would be a dangerous job that could severely injure, or even kill you. Well, think again.

And what about you, eating that popcorn? Has the right allowed some hidden danger to remain in the finished product?

Here's an overview of what we'll talk about today:
Seven years ago, a Missouri doctor discovered a troubling pattern at a microwave popcorn plant in the town of Jasper. After an additive was modified to produce a more buttery taste, nine workers came down with a rare, life-threatening disease that was ravaging their lungs.

Puzzled Missouri health authorities turned to two federal agencies in Washington. Scientists at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which investigates the causes of workplace health problems, moved quickly to examine patients, inspect factories and run tests. Within months, they concluded that the workers became ill after exposure to diacetyl, a food-flavoring agent.

But the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, charged with overseeing workplace safety, reacted with far less urgency. It did not step up plant inspections or mandate safety standards for businesses, even as more workers became ill.

http://www.pritzkerlaw.com/microwave-popcorn/

http://www.expertlaw.com/library/product_liability/popcorn_lung.html

The following article is not about gas, but it does show this Project For The New American Century government cares nothing about the American citizen who receive their food products from separate stores, which are NOT the high-end stores.

Right Wing Evisceration of OSHA
The Creation of Human Misery, Suffering, Pain and Death

Today, we're going to discuss another example of the right-wing letting their ideology trump science, and in the process, increase human misery, suffering, pain and death.

It concerns...microwave popcorn, of all things. You wouldn't think manufacturing popcorn would be a dangerous job that could severely injure, or even kill you. Well, think again.

And what about you, eating that popcorn? Has the right allowed some hidden danger to remain in the finished product?

Here's an overview of what we'll talk about today:
Seven years ago, a Missouri doctor discovered a troubling pattern at a microwave popcorn plant in the town of Jasper. After an additive was modified to produce a more buttery taste, nine workers came down with a rare, life-threatening disease that was ravaging their lungs.

Puzzled Missouri health authorities turned to two federal agencies in Washington. Scientists at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which investigates the causes of workplace health problems, moved quickly to examine patients, inspect factories and run tests. Within months, they concluded that the workers became ill after exposure to diacetyl, a food-flavoring agent.

But the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, charged with overseeing workplace safety, reacted with far less urgency. It did not step up plant inspections or mandate safety standards for businesses, even as more workers became ill.

http://www.pritzkerlaw.com/microwave-popcorn/

http://www.expertlaw.com/library/product_liability/popcorn_lung.html

to usahope1:5/8/07 I want you to google global cooling; it's funny that you say we have been talking about global warming for thirty years-in 1976 they said we had to dump ash on the ice cap to stop global cooling LOL.
Truly ask yourself: where's the $ in science? Even Exxon has stopped funding scientists that do not conform to the absolute truth of global warming. Sounds like global warming's the bully now.

For the rest of you, gas prices are just like everything else: supply and demand. No new refineries plus 22 mandatory formulas of gasoline products, each for a different region of the country, equals no gas pump relief. I live in FL, always have; please let us build oil rigs 10 miles offshore so my small lower middle class boat can reach them for the awesome fishing.

P.S. Exxon is a public company-if you would have put $750 in their stock it would have paid for a lot more than the price of fueling your SUV (you know you drive one, too).

The government representatives aren't representing us, lower middle class. Why in the hell do you want to give them the oil companies? Have you gone mad? They can't even run an efficient postal system!
Neuter special interests and give the power back to the people: FairTax.org

excellent observation nacdaniel.

$75,000 a minute profit is obscene. How do these people sleep at night knowing that they are putting such an economic burden on hard-workng Americans.

Should add a chip to vehicles that tracks mpg so people with vehicles that get low gas mileage get charged higher prices at the pumps.

Stop whining and buy Exxon-Mobil stock.

If you want to do anything about it, take on OPEC. That's where the price collusion is happening.

Sorry, we are not talking about stock. We're talking about profit and the amount of profit the oil companies make is not tied to OPEC. It's tied to GREED.

Gas prices rise as oil companies take in record profits
By Mark Rainer

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2007/may2007/gaso-m15.shtml

I do not like high gas prices either and I do not pretend to be an expert on how prices are set but here are some of my thoughts on it.

First, I saw a break down of the what goes into the price of gas and it seems that Oil company profit per gallon is less then what the goverments takes in taxs! So If the oil companies are making all these record profits, then the goverment is making record taxation also!

Second, it seems to me that any company that sells a lot of its product will make a lot of profit. If everyone bought Big Mac's every day McDonalds would make record profits. So when you consider how many people do buy gasoline each day and the amounts we do, why is record profit so hard to understand?

These are huge companies, that sell their product in vast quantities, so of course they will show large profits.

What I find more troubling is that Democrats blamed Repiblicans for the problem and asked what they planned to do about it since they ran congress. Well now Democrats run congress and they seem to have forgot the who runs congress part and just want to continue blaming the Republicans!

It seems in many ways the Democrats are still acting like the minority party.

Just another comment.

Enviromentalist donate considerable money to Demcoratic campaigns. They want everyone to drive as little as possible. Personally I think they want us all to live in tents and read books by candle light!

But as a special interest group they want high gas prices. Several posters here I think expressed this view. High prices force everyone to drive less, not because they are cutting out gratitious driving, but because they just can not afford to do the driving they need to do!

But this is the enviromentalist agenda. They see higher gas prices as the way to force the public to follow their agenda. So why do you think Democrats would actually try to hard to lower gas prices?

THIS WAS ALL PLANNED. All of the Bush and Cheney oil buddies have planned this massive "shut down" of these oil refineries so that they can get richer before they are out of office. I think that there should be an investigation on all of this. I'm sure their big buddy Halliburton is getting rich as well. This investigation could mean an end to the republican party as we know it. It is full of greedy crooks and the American people should not stand for it. Multiple WARGASMS is one thing. Multiple OILGASMS is a result of war, war, and more war. "W" stands for "wargasm."

Bush said it: "America is addicted to oil." He is very glad of it because he and his other oil pimps are reaping the benefits. Just gouge the hell out of the American people while they are still in office. Go "Armaggeddon" on the oil prices until they have all of the money. These oil companies do not care how American families live "Oh, they are paying $3.00 a gallon and they have not stopped driving. Let's take it up to $4.00." Then they will say, "Oh, they are paying $4.00 a gallon. They keep driving. We've got them by the ball-bearings. Let's take it up to $5.00."

We the People, have to get off our duffs and make big oil accountable for their dirty business practices and blatant rip off of Americans at the pump and associated products.
Rip up those gas cards and send them back to the theives, pay in cash instead or debit card, this will save you time at the end of the month when paying bills and lets them worry about their income for once. (They love to have card accounts on file it makes them feel secure)

There are a couple of things that need to take place right away for the Democratic Party to gain momentum now. The first is to re- enact the windfall profits tax bill Clinton established in the 90's. There is no excuse not to do this we have the support of the American people and the majority in both houses. The second thing is to take back the war powers act from this incompetent president. We as democrats have come along way from where we were just a year ago but we need to keep moving forward to limit the damage that the current administration is doing, with gas continuing to rise it will get harder and harder to limit the reach of the oil companies, there power will get stronger and stronger as time go's on. The same go's for the war machine. We need action now!

Democrats need to be on the OFFENSE. Most of the American people want OUT of these wars. Democrats should stop playing defense and just let the republicans shoot themselves in the foot. Democrats should show America what new things they have to bring to the American people. We don't want the American people to decide to choose "the lesser of two evils." They might make a mistake and choose the wrong evil...and we will get "more of the same." That has been happening until Nov. 2006.

With democrats in power, democrats will be accountable no matter who is in power regardless of party. Republicans won't do that. They continue to allow the president to write blank checks. That smells dictatorship (and it stinks to high heavens).

So it's time for OFFENSE. So what if democrats make a strong push to end the war; benchmarks, timelines, whatever. Do whatever is necessary. We have no business being in anyone's civil war...for what? And still no one is talking about capturing Osama bin Laden. I think he is still connected with the Bush family. They may have pledged to always protect him.

Record sky high gas prices after Democrats take control. Now that the Dems have firmed up control of Congress and changed rules (against campaign promises) to keep meetings secret and muzzle all Republican debate (debate mind you, not amendments), gas prices SOAR! And according to a poll of 2,130 driving-age adults, conducted by Polltronics, Inc., 73% of Americans say that they think Cindy Sheehan is to blame for surging gas prices at the pump. Yep! And get this...The protesting mom is said to drive a vehicle notorious for its fuel inefficiency: the new Hummer H3, a super-size SUV that gets just 20 miles per gallon on the highway. The pink H3 she drives was donated by the activist group Code Pink, while her gas bill is paid by the notorious anti-bush philanthropist George Soros. TALK ABOUT HYPOCRISY......WOW!!!! Now lets see if you post this, or do you squash debate as well!

Oil companies don't set the price of oil. It's set by the free market system. Typical of the uneducated. Want to laugh when Exxon makes money, buy it's stock.

Watching the rising gas prices at the local pumps leaves me feeling angry that "Uncle Sam" has not stepped in before now. When each time you pick up the paper or log on to the internet and there is no emergency reason for the increased cost it puts those of us who struggle each week under even more strain to meet our obligations and still feed our families. It only makes the rich richer and the poor poorer. Another thing that bothers me is why "Uncle Sam" has not asked the car industry to make less of the large gas hog vehicles. The oil companies are going to continue raising their prices as long as people continue to purchase the large vehicles without regard to the environment or economy. Only way to slow their growth and to help the middle and lower class survive is for the government to put a ceiling on pricing. This trend of raising 8cents then droping 7 only to raise 10 cents the next 2 or 3 days has got to stop. Today the local stations in my area raised gas by 17 cents and the only explanation that was given was the up coming Memorial Day holiday weekend. Give us a break, in the last 3 weeks gas has risen by over 55 cents not counting todays 17 cents.

The companies that form the "oil-cartel" constantly complain that they are unable to keep-up with demand since they dont upgrade their refineries or build more of them and thus we pay for the clever-marketing strategy that they force upon us.
The solution: Have Congress declare oil a "National Security Interest" and sieze the refineries and oil-fields in America by the Dept. Of Homeland Security and then run them as a not-for-profit industry.
This would crush the big-oil pirates leaving them powerless to extort money from us ever again.
This could even be done under "Eminent-Domain" which is the very mechanism that is used to steal land from mom and pop american everyday in the U.S.
Furthermore, if the Congress werent already on the take, we would be allowed to convert our own cars to run on 100% alcohol.
This can be done, has been done in the past, and will ultimately be a huge part of the solution in the future. The reason they dont want you to do that is that you could make your own fuel and as much as you want for pennies and not even have to pay fuel-taxes to do it. So to keep you enslaved to their gas pumps they made it illegal to operate on public roadways and impossible to get inspected at any garage.
Even though the emissions from this wonder-fuel are almost non-existent.

It's interesting, yet completely predictable, to hear the oil companies' apologeticists claim that current gasoline prices are driven by simple supply and demand. This is accurate in a true Free-Market system, where there is genuine competition in the complete supply chain of the product or service in question. With respect to gasoline, that means true competition in oil drilling, oil pumping, crude oil transport, oil refining, gasoline transport from refineries to depots, and gasoline transport from depots to filling stations. Probably the the only link in this supply chain that has some semblance of true Free-Market economics is the filling stations. The rest of the supply chain is dominated by a several companies (or nations). Look at the mergers of major oil companies over the last several years. Exxon-Mobil, Chevron-Texaco, BP-Amoco, Conoco-Phillips, Royal Dutch-Shell, are but a few examples of the masive mergers that are consolidating the production, processing and distribution of petroleum products. This consolidation within the supply chain has created a economic oligarchy - it is no longer a true Free-Market. Thus, the purported rationale of prices being set by supply and demand principles fails to hold up.

This oligarchy persists because the Bush administration and the GOP led Congress over the last couple of decades (until 2006) have enabled the oil companies to engage in "covert" collusion. You don't need back room meetings to exercise "trial balloon" collusion. When a company raises it's price, the others watch to see how it is received. In the abscence of strong negative reaction, they follow suit. This pattern continues until a pain point is reached by customers further down the supply chain that causes a strong negative reaction. At that point, the price is stabilized or reduced slightly to a new equilibrium point. Now, oil company apologeticists will say that this is simply market demand setting the prices. However, in a true Free-Market economy, not only is there competition in the market of interest, but there are viable alternatives that the customer/consumer can turn to when prices in the market of interest exceed a certain level. However, with America's reliance on the gasoline (and diesel) powered vehicles, there are few truly viable alternatives. Our infrastructure is simply not developed enough to offer viable alternatives. The net result is that we have a system that has very high price inelasticity - that is demand does not fall much as prices increase dramatically. The oil companies knowingly capitalize on this by driving prices up to the point where it begins to threaten the health of the economy, but well beyond the point where it impacts lower and middle income consumers.

Both these factors 1) the supply chain oligarchy, and 2) infrastructure driven price inelasticity prevent the exercise of true Free-Market forces. The simplistic notion of supply and demand does NOT hold water in this current system.

If you look at utility companies today, many operate in an environment where they exercise a near or virtual monopoly over their service, whether it is electricity, natural gas, water, etc. In recognition of the virtual or actual monopolistic powers these companies have, local and state governments have exercised their rights (through the power of their electorate) to regulate the operations of these utility companies, often in the form of Public Utilities Commissions (or like bodies). These regulatory bodies look at how best to balance out the public's good and yet provide sufficient returns to the utility companies. While no utility company probably is happy with regulation, it has provided a process to keep the consuming public supplied with necessary utilities and the utility companies enough profit to run their operations, pay employees, and yes, even provide returns to their shareholders. [Dividends from shares of utility companies have long been a preferred investment for those that want a reasonable return on their investment with relatively low risk.]

We should recognize that the landscape of the petroleum-based markets have changed significantly over the last couple of decades, and that economic power in these markets have consolidated into the hands of several large entities. True Free-Market forces no longer operate in these markets. Perhaps it it time for government to step in and re-establish a proper balance between the public good and profits in an oligarchy.

CAN THIS BE A SOLUTION TO HIGH GAS PRICES? Just asking and just wondering what we, the American people can do since summer is coming. The prices keep rising, but here are some suggestions:

1. Don’t fill up your tank. The prices are rising anyway but we the consumer should take some control and force these prices down. This may be a start and gasoline sales for each day will go down. Make the sacrifice each day and buy a few gallons each time.

2. Don’t buy from the leading companies: Exxon and Shell. They are reaping profits. Some people have been boycotting them in a few places and those companies might charge a few pennies less per gallon. Still, stay away from them until we see wholesale changes.

3. Don’t go shopping for a bunch of needless things. Save your money for gas and things that you really need. We have to buy gas in order to work. Don’t live beyond your means. Don’t keep up with the Joneses because they might now be living in the streets. So many people are losing their houses these days.

4. Avoid taking a lot of vacations this summer. Take much of that time to stay around the house and get the things done that you have been putting off for years. Get rid of junk in your garage (hold a garage sale), basement, attic, etc. There needs to be an advertising campaign to stay at home.

5. Spend more time with your children and families at home and close by. Republicans do not have a monopoly on family values anyway. But take the time to do more family activities.

6. Take public transportation (bus, train, trolley car, etc.) to places like the museum, aquarium, ballgame…oh, those things cost money, which still has to pay for gasoline. Well, ride to the city park

7. Carefully plan your family meals. Fix them, divide them up, freeze what you don’t use, and so on. This is a good time to think about dieting. Go for family walks. Walking itself is great exercise. Maybe we need to get used to walking to nearby places that we usually drive to.

8. Bombard your legislators about these high gas prices. They need to be telling us what we can do to save money and use less gas. They should because how are they going to get campaign contributions if their residents are paying for gasoline?

9. Insist to the legislators that there needs to be an investigation on these rising gas prices as these companies are reaching all-time highs in profits. They should not be afraid regardless of what party they are affiliated with. The American people need to continuously bug them about this.

10. Keep on them to find alternative fuels. Involve the American people that have ideas. Plant more corn to produce ethanol. There might be other plants that can produce fuel. Even sanitation waste can produce some type of fuel.

11. Register more people to vote. If we don’t, we might see a “surprise” candidate come up (we are expecting two already) in the Republican Party. Beware, Jeb Bush just might be lurking around the corner. Once the election gets stolen for him, we could see $8.00 a gallon by the middle of his first term.

And this façade about the stock market at an all-time high, it is only because all of the rich people are investing in it to create it. Just think if Gore or Kerry were president during these times. More American people (especially of the disappearing middle class) would have jobs and have money to invest in the stock market. We may see numbers approaching well over the 20,000-mark. As for worrying about raising the taxes on Americans, more would be working and paying taxes. That is simple math.

This might not be everything that can be done. I am sure many of you bright readers have more ideas. We need to spread the word. Put it on all blogs. Come together and meet on these things. Then edit it, compact it, and distribute it everywhere.

War Profiteering Assessments
(Windfall Profits Tax):

It appears that the best way to resolve the mess in Iraq is to heavily tax the windfall profits of those who continue to profit from it, particularly Haliberton and the oil industry, until the last American serviceman leaves Iraq.

I suggest that this be the official policy of the Democratic Mational Committee so that the debate between the presidential candidates be regarding the methods and degree of the assessments, and how it is enacted. I suggest that the assessment against oil companies be made on a sliding scale based upon the maximum increase in any market in the country over the average price charged for gas nationwide on January 1, 2000. As this tax would be against windfall profits from the blood of American servicemen, it could be quite steep.

If it is called a War Profiteering Assessment (WPA) rather than a tax, the DNC could pick up some additional political capital from the Democratic leadership of 75 years ago.

I recommend that a substantial percentage of the revenues generated from the WPA would go to programs to provide housing and services for veterans, including a program to augment SSI for Residential Care (Assisted Living) for elderly veterans and those who are coming back from Iraq with permanent disabilities. Other funds could augment earned income credits and other support for those hit the hardest by the increases in oil prices. These thoughts struck me as I slid my credit card into the slot to buy $3.75 per gallon gas yesterday. The price would be a lot less painful if I knew that some of the money was going to support veterans rather than war profiteers.

It will be difficult for Republican leadership to fight this proposal without demonstrating their conflicts-of-interest. It would also expose them, especially Bush and Cheney, as being on the side of the war profiteers rather than truly supporting American servicemen.

I wish there were politicians in this nation that really did care about the average American. With the price of fuels going up and up, all the government seems to say is "Go buy a new hybrid vehicle", completely ignoring the fact that millions of Americans simply can't afford new cars. Millions have NEVER been able to buy a new car. I would love to see someone create a viable idea for low-income Americans. Public transportation is not viable for many Americans simply because it does not exist in their areas. For example, I live in Spartanburg, SC. There is a bus system here, but I would need to walk 10 miles to get to the nearest bus station and I can't do that due to a disability. The high price of fuels, combined with low-income are taking away the self-sufficiency I've fought so hard for.

There are many other Americans just like me. Some are disabled, some are not. We're low-income and we are wondering how we are going to keep working jobs when we can't afford to drive. Failure to find solutions for the low-income workers of America has only one final result. Many of these Americans will be unable to continue working at their jobs simply because they can't get there. These unemployed workers will end up on public assistance programs. This failure to consider the needs of the less affluent Americans is only going to cost ALL Americans.

It is time for the Democats to stop playing politics and work for the American People. You should have been holding hearings years ago to reduce dependence on OIL. Bring back tax incentives to by Hybrid cars. Just because the American Auto Industry cannot provide this alternative, does not mean we should be penalized by the Administration or the lack of interest by congress. Start working for ALL of American and stop playing the Republican Games.Congress can vote to give the President uncontrolled powers very quickly. Congress can vote themselves a raise very quickly. Congress cannot for whatever reason move quickly to solve the continued degradation of our county. It is all about MONEY. The Democrats will meet today to address the soaring gasoline prices. How interesting it has taken them this long to act. Why did the Democrats sweep into office during the last election? The American people wanted to see rapid and decisive change in helping the American people. Nothing has changed very much. The War in Iraq has been the major political distraction used by both the Democrats and the Republicans to try and keep the American people's minds off of the other major issues facing our great nation. These issues are National Health Care, Drugs, Illegal Immigrations, Terrorism, Social Security and the list goes on. This congress has not shown the American people what we have been looking for. What congress needs to do is put a cap on the price of energy. Suspend all trading in energy futures and stocks. There are many forms of terrorism. Economic Terrorism is a form and one that is being applied around the world by the big energy companies. As a OPEC minister stated, "there is no economic reason why a barrel of oil should go over $60." Taking this statement, then you can extrapolate the commodity markets and other financial instruments are driving up the prices. Simply raising the TAX on the energy companies will not help me or other Americans at the pumps. The oil company will pass it along to the consumer. I have a limited amount of income and if necessary will spend it on emery, food, and other major necessities while the rest of the economic market gets nothing. This allowance to continue not stopping this artificial rise in energy prices by both parties is reprehensible and for sure, the Democrats will pay the price in the upcoming Presidential as well as Congressional elections losing to the Republicans again.

$3.429 for 87 octane in metro Denver area. WHY!!! Where are the politicians, especially the Democrats, screaming about this increase? Things are right back to "normal" just like when the republicans ran the entire show. In fact, they still appear to be doing so while our Party scrambles chaotically to be a united front as the repubs are.
So why is it taking so long to do SOMETHING - you apparently had enough time to research and accumulate profits per minute for ExxonMobile. Please, start doing something to fix America besides unbinding resolutions which mean absolutely nothing. 2008 will be a another Kerry shocker when the votes are tallied unless our Party starts showing some strength, unity, and a willingness to LISTEN to Americans, not their lobbyists. You have done nothing of necessity to help Americans. You go all out in allowing ILLEGAL aliens from any where into our Country or give them the amnesty Bush wants even though the MAJORITY of Americans don't want that. Yet, oil prices have been climbing upward this year and I don't hear a word from our party about it. Price per barrel is down so why is it that when oil was near $80/barrel I paid less then I'm paying now even though oil is around $60/barrel.

Another meeting to address the cost of gas. Golly gee, that sure shows a proactive stance to help us out. What do you care that it costs me almost $50 for 14 gallons of gas? So what my daughter has a $5000 medical deductible and a one million dollar lifetime cap on medical expenses. She is 26 and has until February of 2009 before she reaches her one million cap and her $120,000/year treatment TO KEEP HER ALIVE ends? Maybe you can come and talk to her face to face and explain why she has to die because there are more important issues you have to deal with - like letting in illegal aliens from all over the world, having them pay a 'fine' to stay and then get all the free medical treatment and schooling at my expense of my taxes. Nothing's changed - same crap going on, different Party in charge. Prove me wrong and do something for American and legal Americans!

If Congress dose not get off its duff and start moveing on regulation of gas prices as well as ending lost Trillions for war and millitary spending and the phoney so called Terror War This land will soon become and all ready is The land of the not so free ,The land of the poor ,The land of the only super rich ,And the land of the heavly taxed to pay for it all .Not to long ago Gasoline prices were de-regulated .Thanks Ron . Exxon and Mobil got back together , Split up years ago . And the last time gas co's stuck it the people they were slaped with a windfall profit tax . If the goverment needs to pay off the 9 Trillion Debit ,lets bring back Windfall Taxes for the people who can pay not taxing to death the guy who worked a life time just to have a home to be free .

If you want to stop the Rip off at the Pump ,instead of the super long weight for goverment to stop talking about it and do something you might take off a weekend from the what ever you can't afford to do anyhow and Picket Gas stations . March on the State house .A Walk to D C might help , Ride a Bicycle all week ,Walk to Work or school ,Don't cut the grass untill the city sends you a threat letter, or just stop paying taxes ,The goverment has no problem making threats to the little people ! Democrats Wake Up !