Bush unfairly got blame for gas prices

By now every schoolchild in America knows the president has little or no influence on gas prices at the pump, thanks to the current president’s spin doctors and his sycophants in the news and entertainment media. It was not always so. When George W. Bush was president, Democrats — and the usual suspects — had a jolly time blaming him for high gas prices. For example:

Ÿ “Drivers are paying a heavy price for the Bush administration’s failure to enact a comprehensive energy strategy.” -- Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi, May 2007.

Ÿ “Gas prices have more than doubled since George Bush became our president.” -- Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton, July 2006.

Ÿ “. . . you’re paying nearly $3.70 a gallon for gas — two times what it cost when President Bush took office.” -- Democratic Sen. Barack Obama on a campaign stop in Ohio in 2008.

At any time did any of them amend their observations by pointing out that the president is powerless to control gasoline prices? They did not. Do they and their apologists now claim the president is powerless to control gasoline prices? They most certainly do. Does the word “hypocrite” spring to mind?

Don Frost

Rolling Meadows