Politicians seek to demogogue Gas Prices

Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Walters laments politicians' attempts to score points over rising gas prices:

A prominently displayed article, entitled "Giving it up for gasoline," was published Tuesday in the Orange County Register, describing the angst among local drivers over gasoline prices and focusing on Steven and Erin Pierce, who had canceled a seventh wedding anniversary trip to Carmel because, they said, driving would be too costly.

"It's ridiculous," the Register quoted Steven Pierce as saying. "Prices sometimes jump 4 or 5 cents overnight. ... We just can't afford the trip."


Pierce is correct in terming the situation "ridiculous," but not for the reasons he cites. It's ridiculous that the media and politicians are making such a big thing out of what is, at worst, a minor economic blip.