Gasoline prices: Difference between 1973 and 2022

[rgbecker]

Thinking back, it occurred to me that when the price of gas doubled in 1973, it seems like a normal response to the general lack of availability of the stuff. In 1973, there were lines at every station, at least at the stations that actually had gas to sell.

Now, in 2022, there seems to be all the gas anybody wants, yet the price again has just about doubled. Seems like some sort of artificial price increase. You would think the oil companies would at least make an attempt to make it look like the supply is limited so of course they need to raise the price! By the way, there is no talk of a 55 MPH speed limit and Pick up truck sales continue to out pace economical alternatives.

Carter's response to the lack of gas in 1979 was to set some MPG standards and put solar panels on the roof of the White House...now we have Biden asking for a gas tax vacation.

My move would be to ration gas based on population....ie; same number coupons for each and every American. Set the max price that a gallon could be sold and squeeze the oil companies by making that price low. If people would just get together and curtail their use, collectively, this driver of inflation would be brought under control. I think it could all be done by Biden alone using emergency powers. Remember March/April of 2020? Oil prices dropped to $0 because, wait for it, people stopped driving their cars and flying around so much. Amazing. Polluted skies actually cleared up.

Need another reason to regulate gas usage by rationing? Climate Change.

[Ferrets are Cool]

1. Nope

[Lucid Dreamer]

2. I remember peeling out of a gas station...

I remember peeling out of a gas station in '73 in a fit of anger.
I yelled over my shoulder "I'll NEVER pay more than 50 cents a gallon!"

I lied.

[rgbecker]

3. I was a VW Bug lover, but they only get about 25 MPG..

So in '72, I bought my first brand new car, a Honda 600. 45 MPG. 2 cyl. 40 HP air cooled motorcycle engine. Could actually go 75 MPH on the flat.

If Democrats want to put an end to inflation so Biden can stay in, they need to cut back. We're about 6 months from a recession. That will take care of prices, believe me.

[Wednesdays]

9. ...

[crud]

4. Tax the excess profits

and at the same time end the fed tax on gasoline. Use the money from the excise tax to make up the lost money from the gas tax. The excise tax could be used to curb the gasoline company price increases

[Ace Rothstein]

5. Rationing gas is a surefire way to make sure we get stomped in Nov.

Most people don't drive places just for the hell of it.

[Hangingon]

6. I agree.

During Carter we could only buy gas on odd/even numbered days depending on the last number in your license Plate. I think we were limited to 10 gallons per refill. There were days I made 3 trips thru the pump lines..

[Ron Green]

7. Gasoline is dirt cheap, and always has been.

That’s how come we live in this car-based world.

A fair price for a gallon, one that takes into consideration the real costs of its use, would probably be about $20.

[Miguelito Loveless]

8. Rationing would be political suicide.

I agree with the reason, but this is "real politik".

[roamer65]

10. Climate change will eventually ration humans.

Problem solved.

…sort of…

[rgbecker]

11. Funny, during last big war in Europe, rationing

Was the go to response...those were days when the Democratic president was FDR.

Hell, they even rationed meat, among other staples.

Car pooling was expected, not enough coupons to allow everyone to drive themselves.

Did people bitch? Sure but FDR made it clear it was necessary and expected.