False Prophets #1

                   False prophets (aren't they all?)

This is the first of several analyses of dire predictions made ca 2008 and/or 2012 after President Obama was (re)elected. The common thread here is that in every case, there was a complete lack of any real thought process, partisan rhetoric having overwhelmed logic.

         " Gas prices will rise to  $5.45 per gallon."

      In March 2012, on the floor of the United States Senate, Mike Lee (R-UT) predicted that if Obama was reelected gasoline  would cost $5.45 per gallon by the start of  2015. Lee said that gas prices would rise 5 cents for every month Obama was in office, ultimately reaching $6.60 per gallon.  The good senator  failed to actually provide any basis for these dire predictions, and it was obviously, as so much anti-Obama carping is, an election year scare tactic. Former Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann also in 2011, testing  presidential waters,  promised gas "under $2 per gallon."  Amazing that she was able to accomplish this while losing her seat in 2014!  

       Lee and Bachmann were not alone, however. . Newt Gingrich, running for the GOP nomination, predicted that if Obama was reelected he would push gas to “$10 a gallon.” Gingrich said he would reduce gas prices dramatically by reversing Obama’s energy policies. Gingrich flanked himself with campaign signs promising $2.50 gas if he was elected.

        So what's the story? The real story is that just as presidents, governors and mayors  don't create jobs,  they don't really have any control over fuel prices either. In our rather ignorant "blame anything you don't like on the president" society we've seen the current occupant of the White House blamed for PTSD, school shootings, the creation of ISIS, a resurgence in Al Green' s popularity, and a host of other ludicrous accusations.  The current administration has proven one thing, however. When confronted with executive resolve to disallow questionable practices, American  business will find a legal way to make it work. The fact that there is no North Slope drilling in ANWAR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) and gas is $1.77 per gallon is sufficient proof.