Disappeared News

Does anyone think:

• If the gas cap is repealed, oil companies, out of the kindness of their corporate hearts, will keep gasoline prices in Hawaii as low as possible?
• If the law is repealed but regulating gas prices turns out to make sense, that another gas cap law could ever be passed?
  (It would probably have about as much chance as another Van Cam law.)

Perhaps those who think we'll be better off without regulating gasoline prices also think:

• Diesel fuel users have it really good since there's no diesel fuel cap
• Insurance companies in Hawaii would keep their premiums down if they weren't regulated
• Power companies are giving us clean air because pollution controls have been relaxed, and they are also taking steps to avoid global warming because they love us all
• Miners are living longer and healthier lives because the mining industry has been deregulated
• Forests will thrive now that logging operations are permitted on federal land
• The tooth fairy will eliminate the need to go to dentists

Clearly, the record shows that there is no "free market" that will protect Hawaii consumers in the absence of regulation.

Why should we all weigh in on this issue? Because without a working gas cap, money comes out of your pocket and flies directly into the bank accounts of the big oil companies serving Hawaii. That's why. It's not too complicated. They take whatever the market will bear, and are probably thrilled that their lobbying to have the law repealed has gone as far as it has.

Oil money can't be washed off

We will learn eventually what money Governor Lingle raised in Houston and from whom, and we'll also be able to trace oil company contributions to our elected legislators. It will be too late if we let the oil money do its dirty work and the law is repealed. They'll fork over twice as much to prevent a new law from ever being enacted.

Oh yes... Voter Owned Elections... please!