Here's an idea.

[howmad1]

All you computer junkies, make up a bunch of self-stick labels with the words "Blame Bush" printed on them. Each time you visit a gas pump, kinda stick it on the pump before driving off. May piss off the gas station but it will also remind the next user who is to blame for $3.00/gal. gas. Imagine thousands of pumps throughout the nation with "Blame Bush" stickers on them.

"We are a nation of sheep being led by a handful of pigs."

[clitzpah queen]

1. Yeah, that's a good idea....I also liked last week's cartoon

A banner over a gas pump that said
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

guess that's a little more obtuse for some
But I thought it sure packed a wallop!

[lostinacause]

2. With there being good evidence that this is one thing that bush is not

to blame for, perhaps this is not the best idea. America’s production peaked in the 70's and has decreased ever since then. At that point OPEC was starting to influence prices. World consumption has increased while American consumption has decreased. It seems to be a logical conclusion that America's influence over oil prices is negligible. You could try to blame the falling dollar on oil prices if you wanted but you would likely find that the American dollar partially influences the oil price and that the drop in the dollar was part of a needed currency revaluation.

A better sticker would be “Blame the American consumer” as Americans consume a massive amount of oil. Many conservatives will tell you that it is the fault of the Chinese. They are only partially right. The change in demand, and therefore the change in price have largely been brought about by the massive increase in demand for oil in China. (If I remember correctly Chinese consumption has increased by over 30 percent in the last year). The demand itself is largely driven by American consumption and the per capita consumption in North America is much greater then any other area. The "Blame the American consumer" sticker would probably not go over well and would not get anyone any votes but at least it would be intellectually honest.

[VPStoltz]

3. Big oil and gas conglomerations...

Don't you think the big corporations might be in collusion with the oil producing countries propping up the price? Perhaps * is not directly responsible but any other president might want to sit down with the Saudi's and say, "Give us a fucking break!" * couldn't care less since his "base" is getting the rewards.

[lostinacause]

4. Given OPEC's recent actions, I don't believe they are responsible

for the price increases we have seen. I also don't believe that any American company or collection of American companies has the power to have a large effect the prices in the short term without ample evidence of this. Given that the price increases have happened while global production has continued to increase at a reasonable rate further suggests a demand driven price increase. Thus it is consumers who are causing the prices to increase. As the price goes up and production is increased naturally profits will go up especially when the prices exceed expectations.

I don't believe that any other president would be much more effective at dealing with the high costs. There were a few things that Bush could have done to reduce the burden but it would have had to be done in his first year to have any effect now and even still it would be negligible. Keep in mind that America is starting to loose its power internationally so any attempt at increasing Saudi production would likely only be met with symbolic efforts.

[howmad1]

5. Paralysis by Analysis.

Come on, do you really think the public is going to analyze weather the chimp is responsible or not for high gas prices? Please! Right now, polls indicate that because the chimp is directly connected to big oil the sheeple believe he's problem. What better time than now to take advantage or the situation by publicly blaming him, ergo the entire rethuglican party.

[lostinacause]

6. It will backfire. The Republicans are smart enough to turn around

a claim such as this. They have done far better with much worse. The problem with American politics, and to a lesser extent politics in general, is that the politicians always seem to look for short term gains in popularity. Bush has done it regarding the war in Iraq and is suffering because of it. Kerry did the same thing with the re-importation of medicine from Canada. For some reason the followers of both parties would rather the parties win then be intellectually dishonest. In the long run that leads to the poor policies that are now threatening America's global power and economic outlook.