Doesn’t that sound silly? Almost as silly as the campaign flyers I got this week from Eric Stewart and John Greeter. Both have large text proclaiming “Lower Gas Prices.”
Democrats Stewart and Greeter are state senate and state legislator candidates. Exactly how will they lower gas prices?
- Increase supply? Opening up new areas for drilling requires votes by the US congress. And in case they haven’t noticed, the Democrats in the US congress are against new drilling.
- Decrease demand? Are they going to pass a law against big 4 wheel drive trucks in Tennessee? Everyone in their district would have to walk!
- Raise taxes on “Big Oil?” How would raising taxes make prices go down?
- Stop price gouging? It’s already against the law. And the attorney general is already appointed by Democrats. Why hasn’t he stopped gouging already?
- Lower gas taxes? We fund road construction with gas taxes. Do they support less road construction?
There is almost nothing a state legislator can do to affect gas prices. Candidates know voters are upset about high gas prices so they tell you what you want to hear.
It may get votes, but when it comes to actually lowering gas prices, they’re running on empty.
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IM Russell 10.02.08 at 6:56 am
Great post. There is nothing worse from a politician then false promises, especially promises that they have no control to keep. That is just plain irresponsible and crass at this level of the game.