Gas prices are a little better now than a few months ago, but let’s be honest: they’re still higher than your average Colorado dispensary customer. There’s no magic wand that can be waved to just change the prices to something more wallet-friendly (too bad), but there are things that can be done.
Here are Five Fast Facts on lowering gas prices:
- ⛽Where We Are Now - The national average price of a gallon of gas is currently $3.77. It sure beats the peak of $5.02 in June, but it’s still pretty painful. It’s kinda' like getting your hand smashed in a car door and then being glad that only three of the five fingers on your hand are broken. Um, yay…?
- 🧾💰Gas Taxes - Taxes are a pretty big chunk of that cost. The national average gas tax is over $0.50 per gallon! That includes both state and federal taxes. How about we chop those suckers down permanently? Here’s a thought: let’s match the gas tax rate to the pothole-fix rate!
- 🛢️Address The Root - To really fix the problem of gas prices, we need to reduce the cost of oil. And not your favorite essential oils, either.
- 📈☝️More, More, More - We can do more of a bunch of things: pump more oil, do more pipeline and infrastructure projects, approve more oil exploration leases (on both federal and private lands), create more partnerships with friendly nations like Canada and Mexico, and set up free market competition of all forms of energy (yes, competition will be good for both fossil fuels and alternatives!). Where’s Bananarama when you need ‘em?
- 📉👇Less, Less, Less - We can also do less of a bunch of things: reduce requirements for summer blends and ethanol mandates, lower taxes on oil imports, and reduce regulations that block or slow down energy production. Less, indeed…much like a sloth’s philosophy on exertion!
🔥Bottom line: All of these things can – and should – be considered as ways to reduce the price of gas. Some will work better than others, and some will work faster than others, but the point of all this is that Americans need relief at the pump! Something needs to be done, and there are plenty of options that don’t involve a pricey Tesla in the garage. Don’t let your elected representatives get away with doing nothing! There’s this thing called a midterm where you get to send them home if you don’t like what they’re doing. Do it! Your Paycheck will thank you (and so will we).
Guess what? The President has influence over energy prices...but YOUR local & state government reps have influence, too! Here’s three small things you can do that make a BIG impact:
