Additional thoughts on the movement of gas prices
Growing up, I would watch the prices at the gas pump change without much understanding of the reasons behind the changes, whether the prices were going up or down. I thought I had been paying attention to the forces driving those changes as an adult, though, so I was confused by Johnny Spears’ letter of February 15, blaming President Biden and all the rest of the Democrats in the nation for rising gas prices.
I hadn’t heard of any policy changes in the Biden administration that would be driving a change in the gas prices. I knew the prices had plummeted when we all stopped driving during the pandemic. Mr. Spears’ letter prompted a little research into why the prices are going up.
As it turns out, there are two forces driving the increase in gas prices. One of them is the hope that the vaccinations will allow travel again, so the futures traders are driving up the price. I can only be pleased at the increase in the vaccination rates. That increase is due to President Biden’s policy changes that allow more of us to be vaccinated. I’m sure Mr. Spears also wants to see the end of masking and social distancing.
The other force that will continue to drive up the gas prices is the foul weather that has closed down most of the gas refineries in Texas and along the Gulf Coast. Until their production resumes, the gas prices are going to be creeping higher. I’m sorry, Mr. Spears, but that reason can’t be blamed on the Democrats.
I do hope that we can avoid further partisan efforts directed toward doing “everything [you] can to destroy all the good things” President Biden is trying to do.
Bonnie Oppenheimer
Columbus
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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