The Free Market, price of gas, class warfare or socialism?

[Redskins8588]

Originally Posted by 724Skinsfan

Since 1995, gas prices have tripled (~$1 to ~3). Americans have kept up with their consumption. Doubling gas will have the same effect. At best you'll see a decrease in SUV purchases and an increase in economy cars. We like having the freedom to drive and will modify our spending on other luxuries until you take away our driving rights.

Hmm, maybe I'm still missing the point of this thread? Are we trying to force American dependency off of gas for other alternative forms of fuel/transportation? I think the part about killing off the middle class confuses me.

You are right about the price jumping from $1 to $3 from 1995 until now. So over 13 years the price of gas went up an average of $0.15 per year. However with that increase in gas each year, people's wages also went up. The idea in this thread is saying that our government should double the price of gas "overnight" from $3 to $6, not do it over 13 years. A big difference, with gas only going up $0.15 a year most people can cope with that.