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Highlands Today

Bronson At Least Trying To Do Something About Gas Prices

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Highlands Today Staff

Published: May 24, 2008

Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson is calling on Congress and the Bush administration to investigate skyrocketing fuel prices. Good for him.

Although we are not sure if anything will come of it, give Bronson credit for at least trying to do something.

"We're being taken for a ride, and the evidence is everywhere, from the escalating prices we pay to fill up our vehicles with gasoline to the purchase of virtually all consumer goods," Bronson said Friday. "It is almost impossible to conceive of a product that is not dependent on oil in either its production or transportation to the stores in which it is sold."

The commissioner said that both he and his staff are getting swamped with calls from consumers irate over skyrocketing fuel prices, the cost of cooling their homes and escalating costs for items ranging from airline tickets to fertilizer. Even food prices have been significantly impacted as higher oil prices increase the costs of processing, packaging and transporting food.

Bronson said it is imperative that Congress and the White House begin comprehensive investigations into all aspects of the oil business, including production, trading by investors and speculators and ultimately the marketing and sale of fuel.

A few questions that might be asked include why aren't any refineries being built in this country and is the supply being artificially kept low?

The oil companies have been raking in record profits this year. Considering how many people are impacted and the domino-effect fuel prices have, is there a point where too much profit will ruin the economy?

Bronson also talked during a press conference about getting Congress to resist efforts to slow down the production of ethanol and bio-diesel, arguing that the production of alternative fuels is the most effective option in assuring that fuel prices moderate and that future energy costs are affordable.

Of course alternative fuels are a major part of the long-term solution for the country. But can anything be done in the short term?

Someone who knows a little about politics and how Washington works is U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

Highlands County residents will have an opportunity to speak directly to the Florida Democrat during a town hall meeting at 3:30 p.m. this Friday at Sebring City Hall.

This is the opportunity for those who have a question or a concern about a federal government issue or just want to vent – perhaps about gas prices. Questions about that will likely come up and it will be interesting to hear what Nelson has to say.

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