You’re giving me gas

I don’t understand why Democrats are complaining about high gas prices. Here’s Harry Reid  from two years ago:

For years, Democrats have been fighting to get tough on Big Oil and protect Americans from being exploited when they fuel their cars,” said Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid. “Unfortunately, for years Republicans have been more interested in protecting oil companies’ profits than the American people’s pockets. Now that gas prices are skyrocketing and Americans are struggling just to fill their gas tanks, Congress must act to ease the burden.

and Nancy Pelosi’s take on it last month(second verse same as the first):

In recent months, the price of oil has continued to skyrocket – reaching $120 per barrel. American families feel the pinch of rising oil prices everywhere from the gas pump to the kitchen table and need relief. The New Direction Congress has been working on behalf of America’s families and businesses to lower energy costs for the American consumer, increase energy independence, enhance our national security, and reduce global warming.

Don’t. Get. It. Ease the burden? Need relief? With the increase in the price of gas, Democrats are achieving three of their long stated policy goals: increased use of public transportation, increased car fuel efficiency and subsequently lower green house gas emissions.

But all those successes aren’t good enough for some. They still want cheap gas. Hence, this brilliant plan:

With oil companies exploiting the American people to rake in record profits, Congress should give the president authority to put a cap on gas prices, U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey said Thursday.

Hinchey plans to introduce legislation in the next two weeks that would give President Bush the authority to control the cost of gas. He would like to see the president cap gas prices at their March 2006 level — $2.49 per gallon

Duh. Why didn’t someone think of that before. Oh I forgot, someone did. And that worked out so well.

Which is worse: our “addiction” to oil or our politicians’ addiction to pandering?