I'm calling for a new federal bill that would give the President the power to set gasoline prices

[klook]

Last edited Mon Apr 16, 2012, 10:05 AM - Edit history (1)

I mean, since the Republicans keep saying Obama is responsible for high gas prices, why don't we codify it and make him actually responsible for gas prices? The law would be very simple:
"Gasoline prices in the United States will be set at the sole discretion of the President, with no oversight from anybody."

So then the President could actually guarantee that gasoline would cost $2.50 a gallon, or 3 cents a gallon, or 15 dollars a gallon -- whatever he feels like. Simple.

The discussions of such a proposal in Congress and the media could be most enlightening. We might even see some reporting about the real reasons for high gasoline prices.

I know, I know -- but I can dream, can't I?

[banned from Kos]

1. Clever - use Nixon's Wage and Price Controls of 1973 as justification to them.

ITS A REPUBLICAN IDEA!

[jp11]

2. How dare you person!

In a time when people are forced I say, forced, to gaze in horror at the price of something they use almost every day as they drive around in the cars millions of other people can't afford to own how dare you suggest people get informed about what causes the prices!

Worse how dare ANYONE consider the fact that the price of gasoline is such a small percentage of what people actually have to pay out of pocket, that is just madness I say, madness!

[Rosco T.]

3. He could technically do it right now by executive order... two words...

"National Security"

the economic stability of the United States is at risk, that's a matter of National Security,

Q.E.D.

[klook]

4. And the fact that he doesn't just proves

that he's a big-government socialist who hates America!

[Rosco T.]

5. Or it proves he's not a dictator...

sheesh!

[klook]

8. Um, didn't think I needed the sarcasm tag (n/t)

[RC]

12. Always, always us the sarcasm tag.

Especially if Obama is mentioned. DU has a large population of sarcasm/irony impaired.

[anti-alec]

6. Actually that's the wrong move.

Ban oil speculation from the trade market. Release 300 bbl's of SPR fuel, sell it at 1.99 - and if the fatcat a-holes won't take a loss, then nationalize the oil companies, the refineries, and everything else.

I'd rather have a Department of Energy, Oil Section, to determine what our supplies are like and how much fuel should be.

State can add their own taxes to help pay for their roads and infrastructure.

[klook]

10. The point is not to actually try to make the President the Gas Price Czar!

The point is to draw attention to how ludicrous it is for the Republicans to blame Obama for high gas prices.

...Similar to how a proposed state bill requiring Viagra buyers to get a prostate exam first draws attention to how ludicrous it is for the government to probe the vaginas of women who want to control their reproductive health and future.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

14. Why isn't it nationalized anyway?

They are resources in the Earth which belongs to all of us. Maybe this is just my Native American sensibilities coming out here, but honestly, it's like rain. You can't OWN The rain, but according to some people you can and collecting rain water is illegal in some states. This is absurd of course. So, why aren't the resources in, on and under our nation a commodity that belongs to all of us? IT is just stupid that people use it for profit.

[Skidmore]

17. Well it's kind of difficult to nationalize a resource that isn't found in abundance under

our soil in this hemisphere.

[Spider Jerusalem]

7. Except it's not actually possible to do that

unless you propose heavily subsidising it. The US imports more than half the oil it uses; world market prices will determine the pump price for fuel, like it or not.

[gateley]

9. He should just say "I'm going to take control of the oil prices." And the Republicans would cry

"you have nothing to do with the cost of oil!" Oops.

[klook]

11. LOL, you get my drift - thanks. (n/t)

[LoTechGuru]

13. And the stupidest thread of the day goes to...

You!

[Motown_Johnny]

15. actually it is pretty smart since all the (R)s would vote against it

It shines a light on what liars they are

[muriel_volestrangler]

18. They would scream 'communist', and that's all they'd have to do

and they'd get massive publicity and support. They wouldn't have any light shone on their claims at all. They'd just repeat, time after time, "see, I told ya, he's a deep red commie!"

You seem under the impression that a silly publicity stunt by Democrats would result in a sober reflection on what Republicans have been saying. Of course it wouldn't. What country have you been living in?

[Motown_Johnny]

19. Except that Pres. Obama can speak out against it too

as well as any (D) not in a safe district.

[klook]

16. Oh my gosh, I am thoroughly chastised!

Thanks for your insightful reply!!