Gas Prices Affect Americans, Who Urge Action (CBS poll)

[struggle4progress]

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in the United States believe rising fuel costs are impacting their lives, according to a poll by CBS News. 63 per cent of respondents believe higher prices for gasoline are affecting them personally. <snip>

Polling Data

How much do higher prices for gasoline affect you personally?

Apr. 2005 May 2004

A lot 63% 56%
Some 25% 29%
Not much 8% 11%
None 4% 4%

Is the price of gasoline something a president can do a lot about, or is that beyond any president’s control?

Apr. 2005 May 2004

Do a lot 61% 58%
Beyond control 31% 33%
Don’t know 8% 9%

Source: CBS News
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,149 American adults, conducted from Apr. 13 to Apr. 16, 2005. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewItem&itemID=6870

Dubya coulda helped us all out if he'd a wanted to ...

[Deja Q]

1. Dubya could have helped as much as Reagan.

In other words, cut programs that would (most likely) ensure the endurance of our society.

But, no, greed got precedence.

Greed was prevalent in Sodom and Gomorrah as well.

The president as does the government has the ability to REGULATE if it's needed. Hell, they regulate more and more of us each day.

The doomsday clock is ticking, the next war the US decides to fight might mean the start of the chimes. After the 12th chime is what I fear.

[texastoast]

3. Well, yeah

What the fundies don't get is that Revelation predicted that the antichrist would come appearing to be a grand savior. Shrub is cloaked in the robe of God. Fools.

[LevelB]

8. Like Thomas Frank said...

They are praying to Jesus and voting for Caesar.

That is a wonderful summary, and it is my hope that some form of this saying makes it to a Democratic slogan.

B.

[still_one]

2. remember how you screamed when Clinton was President freepers?

eat it

[aneerkoinos]

4. Magic wand

Americans are right and wrong. President cannot make or keep gas cheaper, but he could regulate it, tax it more and to make the prices (higher but) less volatile. Which would be the only sensible thing to do, because it's only going to get worse, and the earlier you start adjusting, the less you are going to hurt. Naturally, US should have started adjusting decades ago, with Carter, so now the question is, is it gonna hurt like hell, or like hell and then some. And that is the kind of truth nobody can sell to the electorate and US economy, addicted to oil like hopeless meth-junkie.

[Selteri]

5. I'm laying odds on Iran by July 15th at the moment

I only hope I'm dead wrong.

[lovuian]

6. You feel pain you haven't even begun to feel it!!!

Americans get ready its going to get worse and worse!!!

[agincourt]

7. Well geez! Whats wrong with people!?

Don't they damn well know it's more important to have bible-thumpin', vegetable feedin', brush clearing war-corporate criminal leading the flock than worryin' bout trivial things? Pidgeon droppings like keeping civilization going and preventing environmental catastrophes, who gives a shit about that? What's more important is that we say Merry Christmas, not Happy Holidays, and that Jane Fonda gets spit on. Whhooo-Wheeeee.

[cliss]

9. OK....here's where my Econ classes come to some use....

the price of gas is determined by a) demand and b) supply. If there is a big demand for gas, the price will go up. At the same time, the supply of gas will increase, thereby lowering the price until the two lines (supply and demand) intersect at an equilibrium price.

However, if there is a shortage of oil, and an ever-increasing demand for oil (China & India are getting into the game), the price can only do 1 thing: go up.

There will be some kind of stabilization, like people will start taking the bus, Hummer's will get spit upon at the gas station, lots of poor folks will have to start living out of their cars because they can't afford to tank up, and so on.

So it wouldn't help if Bush were to intervene. It still won't address the issue of DEMAND, which is growing steadily, but supply is not.

[dbt]

10. Will y'all please CHILL OUT?

"What I think the president ought to do is get on the phone with the OPEC cartel and say we expect you to open your spigots. One reason why the price is so high is because the price of crude oil has been driven up. OPEC has gotten its supply act together and it’s driving the price, like it did in the past. And the president must jawbone OPEC members to lower the price. And if in fact there is collusion amongst big oil, he ought to intercede there as well." - George W. Bush, GOP Debate in Manchester NH Jan 26, 2000.

See? bu$hler has this whole thing UNDER CONTROL. He's NOT a helpless, lying puppet who would have sold his soul (if he HAD one) to giant corporations, so STOP SAYING THAT!

:evilgrin:

[radfringe]

11. bush* doesn't look at polls

basically he's saying "who cares what you think"

polls reflect the opinions of the people - in a way it's sort of like an informal "vote" -- when bush* says he doesn't look at polls or pay attention to them he's really saying he doesn't give a crap what people think and will do whatever he wants

the only people he listens to are the corporate buddies that want favors, tax breaks and no-bid contracts

most of the legislation that has been passed and signed by bush* has been written by the corporations -- bush* and the repugs just rubber stamp it

[Massachusetts]

12. Its more than gas citizens!

"Many adults in the United States believe rising fuel costs are impacting their lives".