All you have to do is look to California to understand why that’s a terrible idea.
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Yes, I support President Trump’s actions in Iran. I am happy that we have finally decided to do something about the world’s # 1 sponsor of terrorism. At the same time, we are stuck with high gasoline prices and having to listen to Democrats scream about it. Let’s hear from Shane Harris:
Americans have every right to be upset about the cost of living and the fact that the American Dream seems to be slipping further out of reach. But they should actually look at Democrats’ record on energy policy rather than just blindly assuming that voting for the out-of-power party will lead to a reversal of what they’re frustrated about.
Sometimes, as is the case here, the alternative is worse than the current situation, as undesirable as it may be. Republicans who feel discouraged or unmotivated to turn out in November should remember how bad things were just a few years ago and have the same sense of urgency that they had in 2024 to prevent a return to Democrat rule this year.
But more importantly, it wasn’t too long ago when gas was even more expensive than it is now – above $5 per gallon in 2022, when Democrats controlled the White House and both chambers of Congress. Biden blamed much of the increase on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The war certainly aggravated an already tight global oil market, but the price increases began well before Russian troops crossed the Ukrainian border.
According to the Energy Information Administration, regular gasoline averaged approximately $2.38 per gallon immediately before Biden took office in January 2021. By February 21, 2022, three days before the invasion, it had climbed to $3.53.
In inflation-adjusted dollars, gas averaged $4.69 per gallon in 2022 and $4.02 per gallon in 2023, compared to $3.95 per gallon so far this year. That’s cold comfort for families shelling out more than they feel they should be at the pump, but it does provide some context for the current crisis – and a reminder that Democrats’ record was even worse.
Don’t misunderstand. I hate paying gasoline prices too. And I am reminded every week of inflation when my wife goes to her favorite grocery store.
My point is this: Do you really want to trust the Democrats on energy prices? Look at gasoline prices in California as Mr. Harris points out:
On September 25, motorists in the Democrat-governed state were paying an average of $6.24 per gallon, compared with $4.49 nationally. California’s higher fuel taxes, environmental programs, and specialized gasoline requirements have all contributed to its unusually expensive fuel market.
Speaking of California, I remember a local couple who drove to the West Coast earlier this year. They loved driving out there but noticed gasoline was much higher than back here. Why? Because of taxes and regulations that drove up the price. Who taxed and regulated? It wasn’t the GOP.
Do you really trust these people to fix high gasoline prices? Well, I don’t.
There is no doubt that President Trump’s decision to attack Iran created the political environment currently benefiting the Democrats. These days, all they have to do is go on TV and bark about high prices. At the same time, I don’t think that President Trump and the GOP have properly explained what gasoline prices would look like if Iran had one of these bombs.
Let’s hope that voters can look beyond everything and realize that the Democrats have no answers other than to blame Trump.
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