Gas price pandering

Is there anyone who has been awake at some point during the past 30 years who is surprised that the price of gasoline is going up? Apparently, news about the discovery of the law of supply and demand has not yet reached downtown DC. Democrats and Republicans alike seem to be in a state of shock and are spouting barrels of nonsense.

George Bush praised the contribution of ethanol, which he sais is of obvious value to all Americans. Is it possible to say that with a straight face about a fuel that is heavily subsidized by the federal government in a progrtam that is clearly designed to meet the needs of corn growers at the expense of everyone else?

Not to be outdone, there were Democrats on the Hill calling for the suspension of gas taxes. Is this the same party that promoted higher gas taxes as a way to encourage conservation? Is there anylthing more effective than high fossil fuel proces for encouraging energy conservation and the development of alternative sources of energy?