[Dean's World] Dean: Anger Over Gas Prices

[notify at powerblogs.com]

Posted by Dean:
Anger Over Gas Prices
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1146806446.shtml


   Gallup says [1]3 out of 4 Americans are angry about gas prices, with
   about half angry with the oil companies and about a quarter angry at
   the President, about one in five angry with government in general, and
   a few others mad at other sources or just incoherently angry.

   Mostly I see this as a bad thing because anger isn't going to solve
   it--especially not anger at the oil companies. Indeed, such inchoate
   rage is more likely to cause politicians to do something dumb rather
   than smart. Because the real solution isn't going to be to play with
   price controls or other bad policies, but to get serious about finding
   energy alternatives. And to be blunt, one of the things that'll help
   drive alternatives is if gas prices stay high.

   I'm still not sure the "peak oil" people are right, especially in
   their more wild claims, but either way, we need focus on finding
   alternatives, and the market's going to be the best method of finding
   those (with some government action).

References

   1. http://poll.gallup.com/content/?ci=22660