Anxiety and gas, not a good mixture

In the op-ed piece titled, "Silly season for oil policy", the author points out that lawmakers are struggling to make a good impression on the public by creating and even re-using policy ideas to improve oil prices. The criticism is that many of these policies have not worked in the past and are not likely to make significant improvement on the prices that people are paying in the near or far future. Instead many of these policies serve as distractions to lawmakers who are already overburdened by many different issues. This article serves as a warning to the public who are pushing for the government to get more involved in the issue of gas prices around the nation. Since this is an election year, legislators from both parties are listening closer than ever to the cries from the public for lower gas prices. The danger here is that instead of solving the high prices, many of these policies would make the gas crisis even worse. Yes, gas prices are higher than ever, but it is important for the public to remain patient for the development of alternatives and in the meantime engage in more economical transportation such as car pooling and mass transit. I feel that the media also plays a huge role in the public reaction to gas prices. Not only must we be constantly aware of it as we drive, as soon as we get home the media is catering to our anxiety over this issue by constantly covering gas prices and repeating widely used terms such as "pain at the pump". Thank you, I can read the price on the big sign, please set a different agenda for the day.