High gas prices are going to hurt us in the midterms, and add to that nothing with the

[JohnSJ]

infrastructure bills, no mater whose fault, after over six months if this continues we can kiss the midterms goodbye. It doesn’t take a fortune teller to predict that.

Inflation and prices at the gas pump are hurting people

[MichMan]

1. We are reminded of it daily whenever we drive by a gas station

Way more effective than any ad on TV

[JohnSJ]

3. That is the problem. It can't be ignored. It has to be addressed, and quickly

[PatSeg]

47. Still, it blows my mind

that anyone would vote for or against a candidate based on gas prices. Over the decades gas prices have gone up and gone down, and it will happen again. There surely are more important issues to consider when voting.

[JohnSJ]

4. Lot of factors are involved, but the bottom line is unless we address the 83 dollar/barrel oil,

it will hurt us at the polls

[doc03]

7. Well the Trumpsters last year when gas prices were a dollar lower claimed

because Trump made us energy independent. But somehow Biden has managed to turn that around in
9 months. The other day one of them was bitching about gas prices, I just said but you can still find $10 a day for
cigarettes.

[Hangingon]

21. Bet that made a new Dem voter

[doc03]

25. He is not going to change believe me no matter what me or anyone else says nt

[Blues Heron]

6. Our gas prices are actually low compared with the rest of the world

Whats really hurting us is the propaganda from hate radio and corporate owned TV

[JohnSJ]

10. Do you really think "Joe Smith" it the Midwest cares that we are paying lower prices than they

are in Europe?

What they care about is that they are paying significantly higher prices at the pump than they were previously, and that effects their pocket book

[Blues Heron]

11. People have options these days - go electric

stop making yourself a victim of big oil. Its not the 70s anymore despite what the propagandists tell you.

[jimfields33]

13. If only people had 30-40K hanging around

[Blues Heron]

14. Have you seen what they pay for their bass boats and fashionista pickup trucks?

these people have money - lots of it.

[jimfields33]

15. I'm thinking the vast majority of working class.

[Blues Heron]

17. Its not the gas prices - thats just an excuse. its the Media

Hate radio is doing this to us.

[Hangingon]

22. We do not need media to tell us the price of gas and groceries

[Bettie]

68. Hate Radio is only part of it

mainstream media is just as bad these days. It's all "Biden is failing...blah blah blah".

Remember how every week, they talked about how "He acted presidential today...

[MichMan]

16. The votes of "these people" count the same as everyone else's

[JohnSJ]

18. Electric cars aren't cheap, even with the subsidies, and if you live in an apartment it may not be

feasible. Add to that, if you live in a house, add another 300 to 1000 dollars to install a charging station, because the infrastructure isn’t out there right now, and it will take time to build it.

Telling people you you have options, just go buy an electric car is not a winning strategy for those who are cash strapped after a pandemic.

The high gas prices has to be addressed now, or it will impact us at the polls

Barring extraordinary events, pocketbook issues are almost always are high on a voters priority list.

[Blues Heron]

19. Its not the gas prices

its the propaganda on hate radio and network TV. These people are easily brainwashed.

[JohnSJ]

24. When they fill the gas tank at the pump, they can see and feel what they pay. That isn't propaganda

[Calculating]

34. you've said this like 5 times now

And it's still not correct. People don't need propaganda to see the groceries and gas prices going way up.

[Blues Heron]

48. We won in NJ WITH high gas prices

so - it can be done. There is no 70s style gas crisis despite what the media is telling you.

[MichMan]

12. The rest of the world taxes it much higher by a few dollars per gallon.

If we would do that, it would reduce consumption considerably and impact climate change

Problem is that politicians want cheap gas, but still want people to not consume very much of it. So consumers walk right past the electric & small fuel efficient vehicles and buy a full size pickup or SUV.

If we were truly serious about climate change, we should want high gas prices, but we aren't

[JohnSJ]

20. If gas prices are too high, we will lose elections. Until there is a viable replacement, it

is a necessary reality

That will change if we can build an adequate infrastructure for charging stations, nation wide mass transit systems, expand solar, etc.

It has to be a transition. Not only did we lose four years under trump, but set the whole transition to alternatives behind four years. We could have accomplished so much during that wasted four years under trump

[Orrex]

23. Although that's strictly true, it makes for a terrible campaign ad

“Thanks to Democrats, our gas prices are high but not as high as they could be.”

Or

“Honestly, we’re great, in spite of what every media outlet tells you 24/7.”

Democrats are proven terrible at messaging, so they need to produce substantive, visible results that unambiguously benefit large numbers of voters. Otherwise they’ll forfeit 2022 and 2024.

[HariSeldon]

8. "They're raiding your pocketbook to support Republicans!"

Take advantage of the pain people are feeling and the relationship between the fossil fuel companies and the Republican party. It's dirty and slimy, but it's also something the Republican Party would imitate in a heartbeat. And it has enough truth to it that the Q kind of folks might believe it...it has that tinge of conspiracy and rottenness.

[LymphocyteLover]

9. the good news is there is a lot of time to fix this problem

though IMO we SHOULD have high gas prices to some extent to motivate people to switch to clean energy

[Ron Green]

26. Continuing to wish for cheap gas prices in order to win ignorant voters.

Isn’t this a wonderful country?

[Strelnikov_]

27. Yep

The race to the bottom continues.

[JohnSJ]

28. It may be, but those who are financially strapped are hurting because of it

[leftstreet]

29. So only ignorant people are on budgets?

[JohnSJ]

31. +++

[Ron Green]

37. No, ignorant people are those who think the sitting president somehow controls gas prices,

and who are willing to vote a certain way because of it.

[Devil Child]

32. Only the ignorant live paycheck to paycheck?

I want cheap gas and groceries so my family can eat. Then take the remaining and save up for that electric car I’m already supposed to have. Check your fucking privilege.

[Ron Green]

38. The OP is about the political effect of gas prices.

You’re talking about your own situation. Are you gonna vote Republican because of higher prices at the pump?

I didn’t think so.

[Devil Child]

45. Don't take any vote for granted n/t

[brewens]

30. I see a 12 cent drop in a week here in north central Idaho. It was 20 cents cheaper right across the

river in Washington, at Costco.

[Kaleva]

33. Historically, the party in power loses ground in midterms

[JohnSJ]

36. Historically there never was an African American president or a female Vice President.

[Kaleva]

39. And what does that have to do with midterms?

[JohnSJ]

43. You are implying because HISTORICALLY the party in power loses seats, that is some kind of rule

and I am saying that same argument was used with other things also, that later didn't hold

There is always a first time

[Kaleva]

66. Are you saying Dems will make gains in 2002 but

Not likely if gas prices remain high?

All I'm saying is that we'll most likely lose seats in 2022 and that's based on widely accepted historical precedent

[JohnSJ]

67. I am saying anything can happen. Yes, you are right, if gas prices remain high, and

inflation impacts people, I agree, not only would would most likely lose seats, but lose the majority in both Houses.

The odds are definitely with you historically

[Elessar Zappa]

40. Not always though.

There’s plenty of examples of the opposite happening although it’s not as common. What will matter in 2022 is if inflation gets under control and the pandemic significantly eases. It’ll be tough for Dems to win but it’s certainly possible.

[Kaleva]

42. It is possible we could make gains in 2022 but more likely we'll lose ground

[scarytomcat]

35. The planet needs even higher gas prices

too stop people from driving but it doesn't really matter now
3 degrees is baked in already

[Elessar Zappa]

41. I agree that high gas prices will hurt us but

I doubt there’s anything Dems can do to change it. Gas prices are usually independent of politics.

[In It to Win It]

44. The average person doesn't understand that

Politicians have spent years (with the help of the media) saying their opponent's policies will increase prices of gas and a gallon of milk... and people eat that up.

[Elessar Zappa]

46. True.

I’m just saying I doubt anything substantial can be done about it.

[Tommy Carcetti]

49. Sorry, I'm not in the mood to play Diminutive Poultry right now. nt

[Polybius]

50. Maybe they'll be low by 2022

Hope so.

[maxsolomon]

51. The Infrastructure Bills will pass in 1 form or another.

November 2022 is 11.75 months away.

Flibberdigibbets who vote based on gas prices also have the memories of gnats.

[DFW]

52. We are at an average of $7.83 per gallon where I live

Plus, we have a 19% national sales tax, and a close to 50% de facto income tax (actually, 42% + 5%) that kicks in before you gross $100,000 in salary.

Included in the $7.83 a gallon is an illegal tax of 19% on the mineral oil tax. Double taxation is constitutionally forbidden here, which is why a wealth tax always goes nowhere--they tried it some 80 years ago, targeting certain citizens considered to be money hoarders, and it left a bad taste. The 19% tax on the tax has stood so far because no one has the money to challenge it. A friend of mine is a retired judge on the tax court here, as well as a law professor. He says the tax would be struck down as soon as it was brought before a court, but no one has the time or the money to mount the challenge. A couple hundred a year out of your pocket if you drive a lot, what individual is going to mount a $250,000 lawsuit over that?

Lean times are not exclusive to the USA.

[JohnSJ]

53. What, 7.83. I am in California, and it is around 4.20 to 4.50 for regular unleaded. Where

are you experiencing 7.83.

Excuse my characterization, but are you out in the sticks?

[DFW]

55. If the Rheinland is the sticks, then I guess I am.

But these prices are countrywide where I live. There are other countries on this planet besides just the one sandwiched between Canada and Mexico. The one I live in, for example, borders on France, Poland, Denmark and Switzerland (among others).

Might it be that you didn't read all of my previous post before asking that?

[JohnSJ]

58. I didn't grasp exactly what you saying there. Appreciate the clarification. Thanks

[DFW]

62. No sweat

All perspectives on the subject are bound to be local. If you live in Provincetown, MA, and only travel to Boston or Orleans, you‘ll rarely need a car. Other parts of the country will see things vastly differently. Even my mom in law in Germany lives in her home small village, and all public transportation in and out of there has been discontinued. She is now almost blind, and is dependent on people with cars. It is THE only we or any relatives can visit her. Not cheap, but we don‘t have a particularly extravagant lifestyle, and apportion our resources to our own set of priorities.

[roamer65]

57. Money will be useless if we get to 3 deg Centigrade higher on average.

We won’t be worried about filling up our tanks.

We will be worried where the next meal comes from.

Gas should be $8 a gallon here as well. Tax it.

[DFW]

59. And give government rebates for hybrid or electric cars

The German government gives a €3750 rebate if you buy a new hybrid or electric. My wife‘s car is 13 years old with 180,000 km on it, so that‘s just what we did.

[roamer65]

61. +1000

[DFW]

63. IF a sensible plan was in place BEFORE raising the tax

I.e. earmarking the cash bonus for public transportation, as well as expanding and subsidizing massive new rail service, with severe mandatory penalties for mafia-style siphoning off percentages of the construction, it could lead to great and positive changes.

[MichMan]

64. I live in a rural area. Wondering where the closest mass transit stop would be?

Walking distance from my house to take me 20 miles to the grocery store?

[Torchlight]

54. You believe gas prices will static for an entire year?

And reject the potential for any dip in crude prices for twelve months? EIA has a projection of 12-14% dip in crude prices next month alone.

[hunter]

56. Petroleum powered cars were a terrible idea.

If I was Emperor of Earth I'd ban them.

Since I'm not, I'd like to encourage the development of attractive walkable cities where owning a car is unnecessary.

Combine that with electric cars and plug-in hybrids that use zero net carbon synthetic fuels and we might save the world.

Alas, the U.S.A., especially under conservative leadership, seems to have become a pathetic "can't do" nation.

[DFW]

60. Worse than "can't do."

Can but won‘t

[traitorsgalore]

65. Crude oil speculation is the backbone of corrupt Wall St

Only way to reduce prices is to regulate and investigate and jail market-rigging speculative banks.

[Busterscruggs]

69. This country

Needs more European influence. Maybe these higher prices will encourage the US to start living in smaller apartments thatre more environmentally acceptable, eat smaller meals which are healthier and quit wasting fuel to go on needless trips to wherever. We already made huge gains with Healthcare with the wonderful leadership of president Obama so maybe this time it will be energy and resources.