Why is it governments never do anything about any problem until it hits the wall?

[raccoon]

Not just our government, but seems to me any government, any century, never does.

The oil situation right now is a shining example of this.

Is this just human nature?

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. A) Because they tend to be reactionary rather than proactive, and B) money still makes the world go

'round. If they think that a new course will cost too much, or if leaving an old course will lose money for them then they try to maintain the status quo.

But I am sure you knew all that and that your post was rhetorical. :P We need a rhetorical gif .. like our sarcasm one.

[lib2DaBone]

2. Because......

Because Govt CREATES problems.... then they offer the way to SOLVE the problem they have just created.... thereby insuring a steady stream of cash flowing to them at all times. i.e. "Hello... I'm from the IRS and I'm here to HELP you."

[aspergris]

3. because its not govt's job

to set oil prices.

bubbles have happened for HUNDREDS OF YEARS

and attempts to control prices in capital markets are MUCH worse than letting price discovery in a 2 way auctionmarket work.

fwiw, 50% of the rise in oil has nothing to do with oil, but has to do with relative weakness in the USD