BCT Editorial – 5/28/07

This page was last updated on May 28, 2007.

Silly; Editorial; Beaver County Times; May 28, 2007.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject editorial.

“As gasoline prices reach record levels, Congress did what it does best when it comes to energy policy - nothing.

“Well, not exactly nothing. Last week, the House of Representatives approved legislation that would penalize individuals or companies for taking ‘unfair advantage’ or charging ‘unconscionably excessive’ prices for gasoline and other fuels.

“The measure is unenforceable, impractical and delusional.”

[RWC] The editorial could have mentioned that constant government investigations over the decades have uncovered no so-called “price gouging” except by the rare individual gas station owner. In other words, the House passed a law against something that rarely happens, and which shouldn’t be illegal anyway. So-called price gouging is nothing more than charging what the market will pay during a period of short supply or “excessive” demand.

“The price of gasoline is a matter of supply and demand.”

[RWC] Oops, how did this get by the proofreader? <g>

“If Congress really wanted to do something about the price of a gallon of gasoline, it could approve measures that would require Americans to get serious about energy conservation.

“But instead of concrete steps that would require the American people to drive fewer miles and drive more fuel-efficient cars and trucks, Congress responds with silliness like this.”

[RWC] Did you note what the editorial failed to mention? It makes no mention of increasing energy supply. Isn’t it “silly” to write about “energy policy” without mentioning increasing supply?