The president and Congress have called for investigations into the high cost of gasoline. Why doesn't the federal government investigate itself? Government is a major cause of high gasoline costs. High taxes, restrictions on domestic oil drilling, and launching a foolish war in Iraq have all contributed to the $2.91 per-gallon cost. Government can alleviate a substantial portion of the price burden. But it won't. Instead, it will investigate private companies and attempt to force them to modify their practices. The government's practices, of course, will neither be investigated nor modified.

Dan, You are right! When it comes to doing either the important or the difficult...they're worthless. 'nuff said.

Who Watches the Watchers?

Yes, just what this country needs is more government intervention in the private sector. They already spend too much time investigating themselves and tolerating Dem temper tantrums.Divide and conquer seems to be the MO these days. Unfortunately you can't change human hearts by legislation, so it all seems like too little too late.

Exactly! How motivated is the Government to help the "people"? Talk about a Dog and Pony show.

They tax the gas; they tax the corporations that produce and distribute the gas. Higher prices, more profits for big oil, higher and more tax revenue for the Government at the pump and beyond.

We're screwed.

You left out the ethanol shortage. New regulations require that ethanol be added to gasoline. (This has a number of equally silly causes: environmental crap about new fuels and lobbying by the corn-growers.) The requirement itself, mixed with tariffs, have produced the shortage. As usual, government interference creates the opposite effect as it seeks.