Letter to the Editor: Rising Fuel Prices

t seems to me that Congress has little care for the plight of the American people or its businesses.

They have granted one tax-relief package after another to the cash-rich oil companies. Nearly all oil companies reported more than $50 billion in after-tax profits last year alone. It’s been that way since 9/11.

Congress and the president are killing the economy. People are actually being killed over fuel prices. Like water, fuel is a commodity — a resource that belongs to all and that is taken from publicly owned lands and resources here in the United States (in most cases).

Just how long does Congress think America can endure double- and triple-digit inflation of the most basic and essential things that drive our economy?

Congress needs to act — now — to relax prices at the pumps through direct and immediate tax relief, put controls in place through regulation of the oil companies and begin pumping our resources again — to hell with the tree huggers.

Next, hold the automakers accountable for the energy efficiency rules set out more than 25 years ago.

I find it ridiculous that the most technological improvement we’ve had since the oil embargoes of the 1970s is a better electric window for my ride. They ought to be embarrassed, if not ashamed. That’s almost as bad as the irresponsible handling of all of the research and development money the American people have spent for alternative fuels — without tangible results in 30 years’ time.

Mark Barnes

i>Compliance Officer

nited Road Services

etroit

This letter appears in the Sept. 26 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.