Should our government regulate the price of gasoline?

Several entities are to blame for what is going on, therefore I think all the same entities should stop this price gouging. It is not enough for "our government" to do anything about it. It really starts at the consumer level. We have led these people to believe that we have to have so much oil and we need to learn to live without some of it. That means giving up blowdrying our hair as often, not traveling as much, etc.; basically being more conservative with our money. I believe if this were to occur, the prices would surely come down and life would be a little easier for us all.

You are a republican at heart? In all honesty, I wonder how you would define republican, becasue your statements and questions suggest a liberal heart! Several questions/comments, so several answers. (1) Regulating prices is ineffective long term. If you place a cap on gas prices (which the U.S. did in in the 70s or 80s), suppliers simply stop selling it when they make nothing . Ask someone above 40 or so about the gas lines a couple decades ago. (2) Allow me to turn this comment into a question: Why should greedy oil companies make huge profits? Because that is why they are in business. Are oil profits inherently more evil than, say, herbal tea profits? Nestle makes huge profits on chocolate--far beyond their needs. Are they greedy bastards? (3) I question your claim about refineries and pipelines... If you mean that there are occasional leaks, then I would ask you to hold all corporations to the same standard.(4) what do they do with their money? Well, they stimulate the economy: They pay employees who buy cars, houses, cheeseburgers...essentially feed the economy. They also re-invest it in advertising, pay the expense of government requirements, donate to both political parties, invest in new plants, fight lawsuits, pay taxes. That sort of thing. Besides, as long as they spend their money legally and ethically, who are we to judge? If they are so greedy, maybe you and I could open a competing business and sell oil for substantially less. Then WE could earn huge money and invest it in, say, flowers. If we move fast, we might beat everyone else! Wait...I think others already do compete, so maybe the profits are earned, not stolen.

Oh boy! My friend accross the Atlantic you dont know how well off you are in the States! With Fuel Tax and VAT the UK Government take about 65% of the pump price from every gallon we buy. Now WE are really being screwed, we would love to buy fuel at the price Americans pay! In your money we are paying around $10 a gallon!

Hell Yes!

And they want to drill in Alaska so bad, let's not let them. Let's make them!

The reason they are crying so loud about it now is not that there is enough oil up there to make a real difference, it's that they want to sell it to us at Arab prices.

Let's tell Exxon to get their buttocks up there now and we are going to pay them $30 bbl, same price as before we attacked Iraq.

And if the U.S. public would get a brain and stop driving Hummers and learn to turn off their lights, demand would drop and so would prices.

It's really up to us and we keep acting like pigs in an oil trough. praying to the free market gods of Bushism.

Wake up,

America!

Do You REALLY want to put the "Fox" in Charge of the "Henhouse..." ? Remember, the guy who's "leading" the Country now- the "Decider" Bush- comes from a family of Oilmen... Doesn't it stike you as kinda "Odd" that the current run-up in Gas prices is happening under an Oilman's gaze..? Government is PART of the PROBLEM here... -It's NOT the Solution... ... :(

You mean price controls like in the 70s do you really want to wait in long gas lines and be told how much and when you can buy gas. It didn't work then It wont work now.

i understand your pain.

I got yelled at about this once. someone said it was not as much the oil company's as it was the guys on wall street buying and selling the oil..

but YES, there needs to be something done. this is disgusting...

our government is in gasoline; BUSH, CHENEY etc ; it is like it is b/c of our politicians; Pelosi wanted a bigger jet to fly from California to D.C for herself ; we are like we are b/c of our government; at anytime, our government could subsidize hybrid cars for us to get off oil but then they would lose money and friends; they keep robbing from middle class and we let them; there is a gas boycott June 17 and June 18 , join in and pass it on ; let your voice be heard ; don't wait for others to do it for you