Democratic Debate

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

I think we all agree we want change. We want our freakin' gas prices to be lowered if nothing else!

It may sound crazy, but gas prices really need to be raised...to like six bucks a gallon. The value of gas (long-term) is way above the three dollars we are paying for it right now, and unless the government is going to finance oil companies when the prices skyrocket, the free market really, really needs to give massive and widespread incentive to consumers to cut down on gas.

Of course, setting a minimum price of 6 dollars a gallon may not do that. People may opt to spend a higher percentage of their earnings on gas as opposed to cutting down on usage. I don't really have the answer to this one, but the government probably should intervene here and force people who have the option of using less gas, to do so.

For me, I can drive to my college campus (8 miles from my residence) if time is not a luxury, or I can walk 12 minutes (in single degree weather) to the bus stop and bus to class for free. If the government set a price floor on gas at 6 per gallon, I would lose the luxury of driving to save a few minutes, and be forced to use the bus but for emergency situations.

I don't know how many people who have jobs are in similar situations to me, but the sustainability of personal vehicles for those who absolutely have no other option but to drive would be better if gas was fixed at 6 dollars a piece for the next 30 years, as opposed to relatively inexpensive for the next five, and then completely non affordable after that.

And this is probably the only issue in the world where I would support a price floor or any form of government restriction. You have to alter the habits of the masses quickly, and thats like the only thing the free market won't account for.

/end of totally off topic, but totally necessary rant.