Do you think our government can do anything about fuel costs?

Question

I remember when then President Nixion put a price freeze on fuel. Would that help now?

Answer 1

The only reason to do that would be if they suspected, with great proof, that a crime was being committed. Otherwise the oil companies are being treated unjustly when it may not be them that is raising the cost.

Socialist countries do it as a matter of course, because most businesses do not want to be in a socialist country.

If I were an oil company that had that happen to me unjustly, I'd leave. Wouldn't you? Loyalty to a country trying to bankrupt me when it isn't me that's causing the problem? Trapped between Middle-Eastern companies trying to hurt the West and a nation turning increasingly socialist?

Bad place to be.

Answer 2

Are you kidding? It didn't help then. Nixon's price controls have gone down as one of the biggest economic blunders in government history. If you really want to see our economy screwed up, let the federal or state governments become more involved. Yeah the government can do something about fuel costs alright. Just how high do you want to see fuel costs go?

Now an increase in the supply side and a reduction in the demand side, now there's a real workable idea. Let's see, how do we do that. Well, first we can affect the supplies of oil by opening up the continental shelf and the Alaska preserve in Alaska to drilling among other places. Then we could all park our cars and quit complaining about the guy who has one bigger and less fuel efficient than yours. Park em all. At least for a time. Once you've done that, which is the most effective way to reduce oil demand, take a look at what else you can do.

Don't like any of these ideas. Fine. I never said I have all the answers. Other than repeating Nixons mistake, do you?

Answer 3

The only way to combat the problem long-term is to decrease consumption. There is absolutely no other way around.

Freezing fuel prices or subsidizing fuel would only lead to greater consumption and larger long-term problems.

Lower consumption can be achieved in many ways, including technological improvements, infrastructure improvements, changes in commute patterns, etc.

In a lot of ways, the government can make a big difference by incouraging changes. For example, tax credits for hybrid cars, carpool incentives, incentives for telecommuting and online learning, tax incentives for innovation, alternative energy. Also, better infrastructure, including public transportation and more roads for less traffic would help a great deal.

Answer 4

What they need to do is put a cap on states collecting ridiculously high taxes on a gallon of gasoline, and if a state places a tax of over, say 25 cents a gallon they lose federal highway funding. This way if a greedy state like California or New York insists on having gas taxes of .50 or .60 cents per gallon, the federal government can tell them, "be greedy on your own, we are not endorsing you ripping people off".

Answer 5

The best thing the govt. can do, but won't, is cut the taxes on fuel. Oh, and tell the environmentalcases to back off and go off the coast of Florida and in Anwr, as well as more exploration in Alaska.

Answer 6

Gee our petrol in Australia where I live is real expensive its $1.27 litre & nothing has been done here just all talk & yes a price freeze would help the little guy

Answer 7

the government? No... but the ppl that own the fuel company can. and the people that own the gas stations can.... but they know they can raise the prices because people have to work and go to school and they know ppl will buy gas no matter the cost. I think an organized boycot may be nessasary. but who knows if that'll ever happen

Answer 8

America should really consider establishing a network of ethanol refineries in Mexico. This could help to curb illegal immigration & lessen our dependency on foreign oil.

The trick will be to convince our oil-tycoon-in-chief that this would be a good idea...

Answer 9

And after Nixon placed price freezes, they economy went down the crapper due to inflation. The only thing that counts is supply and demand.

Answer 10

No. Oil prices are determined through supply & demand, not through a guy sitting in the basement of the pentagon.