Next week the free market and the banking industry. Yeah, that would be good. And then, the week after, I'd love to see something about the free market and the health care industry, dealing with how insurers and health care providers attempt to maximize their bottom line, not by performing their central function more efficiently, but by AVOIDING performing it at all.

Did anyone try to analyze the lower chart?

To answer your question, yes. For example, carbon emissions affect global warming, but global warming has no effect on government policies. Despite Bush's claims to the contrary, the demand for gasoline is pretty much inelastic due to urban sprawl and the generally low gas mileage of all cars on the market (even most 4-cylinder compact cars don't get over 30 mpg, contrary to what you might expect after all of these years of technological advancement), which means that there is a minimum amount of gas that people are forced to consume during their daily activities. The only thing that's missing (which does not really belong in the chart) is the effect of inflation and the devaluation of the dollar on the price of gas, which is also related to the increase in the prices of all consumer goods due to the increase in transportation costs. As you said, the comic strip is brilliant.

Surely there's room in that excellent chart for the clever fellows who bid on oil futures! Maybe a sticky note....

Actually, devaluation of the dollar is mentioned as weak dollar- in between lobbyists and deficit spending, and just below the US Treasury. The corresponding arrow leads to "price increase of gas".

You're right. I didn't see "weak dollar" at first because it's written sideways and my eyes are bad. Sorry about that!

brilliant. but are oranges really a replacement good for apples?

Wow, that really sums it up, I need to get this as a poster for my office.

As for the people with electric cars? They float in an ethereal bubble. For them, gas is still expensive at a buck fifty a gallon.

You're right. That otherwise great chart totally ignores the oil speculators who are the main reason for the price increase.

Please note: Just prior to the Iraq War, a gallon of gas was about $1.50. Today, it's more than $4. That's because people who are buying gas futures are literally betting that there will be some war-related supply disruption.

And when the disruption doesn't occur, the speculators keep the profits. Why else is it that oil giants like Exxon/Mobil are posting record profits since that war started?

I remember at the start of 2003, I was getting estimates for a new roof. Several of the roofing contractors who came to my house told me specifically to act fast - with the coming war in Iraq, petroleum products (like tar and roofing shingles) are sure to increase in price.

How right they were.

So despite the claims of both George Bush and Barack Obama, there is a magic wand for lowering gas prices. Two actually.

First, we need to re-regulate oil speculation. The oil market was deregulated under President Bill Clinton in 1999.

Second, we need an immediate end to the Iraq War.

Any questions?

The only thing I would change would be the "consumer." The happy face should probably be angry, shocked, or one of those x'ed out eyes cartoon faces...