Reply #77: We need to be Progressive about gasoline.

[The_Progressive]

There will be no rationing of gasoline. It will continue to go up in price. It's a matter of supply and demand. China and India are buying more and more cars. The oil companies are refusing to build new refineries to meet the rise in demand, thus limiting supply. An increase in demand, a fixed supply, abracadabra, you get rising prices.

The republicans will tell you that the market will work itself out. Don't believe it. It will work itself out better for those driving 2007 Mercedes Benz S500's than those families driving 1997 Dodge Caravans.

Our democratic friends will try reduce the cost to consumers through price controls. Bad idea - will lead to gas lines and shortages.

The better idea is to madate all cars sold in the US must achieve 30 mpg starting 2009. No if, ands, or buts. There is no reason that anyone needs to tool around in an SUV. If people want SUVs, make them 30 mpg hybrids and charge $50K each for them. Let's get a fleet of cars on the roads that don't waste gasoline.