4.02 Should government set the price of gasoline?

Should government set the price of gasoline? - Devlin Clark

No, I believe the government should not be able to set gas prices for a whole nation equal. This would create shortages, economic suffrage's, and would limit the market even more. Everyone has ideas on how gas should be, but in the great scheme of things gas cannot be priced according to the government, it is a extremely limited source. Set prices, whether high or low could damage our driving abilities ande economy. Here are some reasons why the government should not regulate our gas prices.

Capping prices has a nasty side effect: it can quickly lead to outright shortages. (http://www.nbcnews.com/id/9220783/ns/business-answer_desk/t/cant-government-help-gas-prices/#.U7iccrEzSHQ) Gas set below the equilibrium point that everyone dreams of would not help. Like many tend to think it would only help Americans to indefinitely use gas up in a short time, while oil companies make little to no profit. Dramatically lowering, or creating a standstill price could create a devastating shortage for everybody. Gas is a non renewable resource, once its gone it is gone.

If the government regulates the price of gas, than the economy would suffer because there would be no competition and companies would go out of business. (  http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-the-government-regulate-gas-prices)  Non-monopolistic markets and different prices are what set companies apart from each other. With every gas price the same, there would be no need for multiple different companies. Making all prices the same could jeopardize many businesses, and even cause some to go out of business. The great thing about different companies releasing the same product is that you can make decisions more fit for you, and your price range.

The government regulating gas prices would limit us even more. If the government regulates gas prices it completely takes it off of our hands legally. It would be their choice to drastically raise or drop prices whenever they feel the need. This could potentially create a higher tax on gas because its a good supplied by the government. Nobody would have any idea of the governments intentions, they could fix gas prices for their own agenda.

             

Some believe a government raise on gas prices would limit driving and help save gas. (http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-the-government-regulate-gas-prices) Limiting driving is a nice idea in theory, but its extremely non realistic. People go to work, travel, visit family etc all by USING gas. The government should have no right to take that away, or anybody's ability to drive without legal reasons.