I believe that the only way to bring down prices on food, servies and other things is if we drill more of our own oil, especially in Alaska. The people there want to drill it, but we need to drill more of our own. (They even have safe ways to do it, that will protect the enviroment) Plus, we haven't built a new oil rig in the US in over 30 years. The time is now to put a stop to this. I can't keep affording gas anymore if it keeps going up and up. That would be a great economic stimulus. Ethanol is also driving some of the prices up, as corn is also used as feed for animals that we eat. So that isn't really helping. Our senators should be working for us, the people. We elect them to be our voice in the government. I emailed my 2 US Senators, telling them that we want to drill our own oil. Here is a link that will give you a list to find and contact your US Senator:

U.S. Senate: Senators Home

However, we need a short term - NOW solution. Because it affects so much of our economy and is a big contributor for this darn recession, I feel caps on the profits need to be done. Exxon/Mobil are making RECORD, and I mean RECORD PROFITS!

Do you expect Bush to do anything? Oilman Bush who has his cronies, or Halliburton Cheney with his ties. Yeah. Right.

Interestingly, our highways here, which are usually so backed up, have been emptier lately. People are conserving. We have to speak w/our wallets. Unfortunately, in truth, the oil companies will not suffer. They have to answer to their board of directors and stockholders, who only care about the almighty dollar so they can fill up THEIR luxury behemoths and pay their huge electric bills.

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Bush HAS tried and all his efforts have been opposed by the oh-lets save a tree first democrats. I agree, I solution needs to be done NOW. Guess what I'll be spending my refund on?!

also, the requirements to make the gas, make it more costly. the government is making on the most off gas, look how much in taxes per gallon they charge! And then the arabs!

Could you please elaborate what exactly Bush has done to raise the price of oil??? Do you not hold the people who sell us the oil responsible? Or Congress who hasn't passed any laws to do anything about it? Or people who won't let us drill for oil? I'm amazed that people actually think one person can control the worldwide price of oil....particularly since we're not producing the oil. Who do you blame for Europe's and other countries prices that are higher than ours? Is that Bush's fault too??? So I'd love to hear the explanation.

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I really don't think it is that easy!!! I have to agree with Desertmom on this.

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~Happiness is a large family~

I believe they said that the tax is currently set at 18 cents a gallon here. They are talking about suspending it for the summer. Not nearly enough, though. 18 cents still leaves a heck of a high price per gallon.

And aliadam, I'm not saying Bush has raised the prices, but that he's allowed them to skyrocket. It starts at the top. When he wanted to do his rebate program, he publicized it. Before it went to Congress. That got people on his side (or against him), but let us know he was doing something (as you know, I was a Bush fan, but now he lets others do it all, and he's become the fall guy, while not stopping stuff, like China's terrorism of the US- another thread).

But I am saying it starts with him. He can start publicizing, from his position of power, his intention to work with the oil companies. Why are they allowed to make record profits while making the average American struggle? It is capitalism at its best AND worst. Profits should be had, but not at the level that are coming in, while taking away from the Americans (and the world, from what else I read). Also, Exxon/Mobil have been crying poverty all this time, until the real results came out. Can't stand that!

I hope that explained it.

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Not really!! So who allowed Europe's or Canada's gas prices to skyrocket? Do you hold Bush responsible for that? Or all the European leaders? I thought EVERYONE'S price had skyrocketed because the oil producers were charging more per barrel?!?

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Im stunned You agreeing with someone who's blaming Bush?!?!?

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I stand by the fact that if you really want to take care of gas prices then find alternative sources and I'll agree with one thing that the OP stated, ethanol isn't it.