It seems like the Congress is still obsessed with the idea that price gouging is to blame for higher gasoline prices…

The House today voted, 284-141, to pass a bill that would make gasoline price gouging a federal offense.

-Snip-

The legislation would give federal authorities the power during presidentially declared energy emergencies to investigate and prosecute anyone selling fuel at a price that is “unconscionably excessive” or “indicates the seller is taking unfair advantage unusual market conditions.”

The White House contends that the definition of gouging is vague and would make the law difficult to enforce. The administration also questioned the need for the legislation, noting that many states currently have price-gouging laws.

For the last three years, I’ve heard the same rhetorical nonsense from Congress when it comes to gas prices. The problem is NOT price gouging! Here are a few suggestions for Congress about how to deal with high gas prices:

    Open ANWR and additional federal lands to drilling
    Allow more refinaries
    Allow more nuclear power plants
    Cut gasoline taxes
    Cut taxes for oil companies
    Repeal laws regarding mandatory blends
    Quit appeasing Iran and actually do something about the threat its Islamic nutcases present to the world

The above are common sense steps to deal with high gasoline prices. Unfortunately, many in Congress aren’t listening.

Additional reading…

*Update: I have a problem with how the legislation is worded; it seems some sellers could be penalized if the price of their gasoline…

indicates the seller is taking unfair advantage unusual market conditions.

If this legislation is actually signed into law with language as vague as the language above, I guarantee we’ll see more situations like this in our country:

A service station that offered discounted gas to senior citizens and people supporting youth sports has been ordered by the state to raise its prices.

-Snip-

But the state Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection says those deals violate Wisconsin’s Unfair Sales Act, which requires stations to sell gas for about 9.2% more than the wholesale price.

Oh how I love socialist price controls and vague legislation.