timoteo2: Always an advocate of the consumer, that Bush.

I'd bet more that Bush knows this is a toothless law. One which would be ambiguous and hard to enforce, if enforceable at all. So there's no real reason to make it a law. It's really just congress wanting to look like they're doing everything they can for the little man.

JohnnyC: Pretty much what I was thinking. Purposely limiting production of gasoline so they can charge more per gallon is wrong and the oil companies have been seriously cashing in on that business model.

Actually, no business that is not run by the government has any responsibility to ramp up production so they could make a lower profit margin. Now, are they putting profits ahead of the good of the consumers? Yes, How do they get punished for this? Consumers get fed up and stop buying. They haven't even gotten to a point yet with price where people stop buying. There's no reason at all to change production, or lower prices.

If the government wants to affect big oil? Take away all the breaks and subsidies the oil industry gets. Tell them the money will be better spent studying and researching new fuel sources to lessen our dependency on oil.

Of course then the "big oil" will just pass the increased expenses on to the customer. Which will all get back around to "how long until people get fed up and drive less/buy less gas"??

Note how it always seems to get back around to the consumer? Astounding, ain't it?