He Said-TOPIC: Gas prices-Oil companies gouging motorists-Regulations won’t fix gas crisis

Gasoline prices are soaring and they’re crippling family budgets. When that happens ‘ when people are faced with some sort of adversity ‘ you can count on one thing. They will cry for government help.

Our current gas crisis is the perfect example. Now that prices have reached a level most people deem absurd (including me), our government is being called upon to make these high prices disappear.

If history has taught us anything, it’s that government intervention causes as many headaches as it relieves. Do we really want our government controlling prices? If so, I think my electric bill is too high. And I’m paying way too much for milk.

Gasoline, like most goods, operates on a supply-and-demand basis. When demand soars, so does the price. And like a Hannah Montana concert ticket that sells for $250, there’s not much we can do.

Let’s say I’m selling bags of peanuts for $1 and sales are good. They’re so good, I decide to double the price to $2. Even at $2, my peanuts are still selling off the shelf so I raise the price to $3.50 a gallon, I mean a bag. People are grumbling and complaining, but they’re still buying my peanuts, so I’m thinking I might raise the price to even $4 ‘ maybe more.

When people get fed up, they’ll find alternatives and stop buying my peanuts. When that happens, I’ll be forced to lower my price.

While our government should not regulate prices, the feds aren’t beyond reproach in this energy ordeal. Our government should have an energy policy more intelligent than invading an oil-rich Middle Eastern country.

If America had a proactive energy policy for 2008, instead of an oil-dependent policy we should have begun changing in the 1970s, we wouldn’t be in such a mess.

If we’re going to work toward real solutions to soaring gas prices, it’s going to take solid five-, 10-, and 15-year plans. This includes more fuel-efficient vehicles, hybrid vehicles, solar power, biodiesel, wind energy, and maybe even (gulp) somewhat modified driving habits.

A well-thought-out plan is what we need, not government handouts or unlawful regulations.