Gas price regulation debate intensifies

[LostinVA]

(from Charleston Gazette)

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The soaring price of gasoline has rekindled debate across America over whether prices for gas should be regulated as they are for electricity and water.


"It's very clear to us that gas prices need to be regulated. We really need to step back and recognize that like electricity, gasoline is too vital to the economy to be left in the hands of these corporations that have been gouging us," said Doug Heller, the executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Los Angeles, a consumer advocacy group.


The Service Station Dealers of America agree, saying wholesalers are limiting competition and thus pushing prices higher.

"Fuel is basically a commodity, almost something that should be regulated by the public services commissions, because there is no other product out there that so many consumers depend on," said Paul Fiore, the group's executive vice president.


http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/energy/nw/?postId=5076&pageTitle=Gas+price+regulation+debate+intensifies

I've been saying this for years.....

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Major seismic shift coming.

The Seven Sisters WILL push back if this gains traction.

[Burried News]

3. Yes they will.

[Burried News]

2. Fuel is a vital commodity for our security. It cannot be left to the

market system and 'free' enterprise - especially in a time of war.
Nationalize it now and after the war we can discuss how it can be partially privatized.

Sounds like a good starting point for a third party platform.

[MercutioATC]

4. I understand the argument, but I don't agree.

We've done fine for over 100 years with things the way they are.

Many things can be considered a "vital commodity for our security"; housing, food...I don't believe we should federalize things unless it's absolutely necessary.

This situstion doesn't fit the bill, IMO.

[Burried News]

5. If oil had been nationalized would we be dependent on ME oil?

Would we have oil wars?
Would we have replaced electric trolleys for diesel buses?
Would we have suburbia and sprawl and the dumbing down of America because intellectual life in cities was gutted by an exodus? Would we have been forced to solve race relations problems instead of fleeing them?

My post is not meant to be provocative to you personally but just to plant some ideas. There are other ways of living - but they don't necessarily benefit oil cartel or the oil industrial complex.

[MercutioATC]

7. I think we would be.

We'd still have to buy oil from the ME because we use more than we produce. How would federalizing it change that?

No offense taken...I think it's an interesting discussion.

[European Socialist]

6. Without price controls there will be an economic meltdown-- soon!