Montgomery Advertiser hopes Alabamians have same gas shortage problems as Georgians

Libertarian Party rejects appeals for more bad government

Atlanta - For the last couple of weeks, the availability of gasoline has dominated the news in the Southeast. Georgia, which has stricter laws against "price gouging" than Alabama does, is suffering from long gas lines at the few service stations which have a remaining supply of petroleum.

Today's Montgomery Advertiser calls for additional government intervention into the natural process of supply and demand.

"Some other Southeastern states take a different approach, and it would be wise for Alabama legislators to take a look at these laws," the paper declared. "Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee prohibit any price increases that are not related to increased costs. A gas station may pass along to customers the higher costs it incurs for fuel, for example, but may not raise prices beyond that level."

"As I live in Morgan County but work in Atlanta, I see the impact of government intervention into the retail gasoline market on a daily basis," said Libertarian Party of Alabama Chairman Stephen Gordon. "I bought gas last night in Calhoun County, Alabama, but by the time I made it to Cobb County, Georgia, there was no gas anywhere to be found."

"Consumers have no incentive to conserve gasoline when the prices are artificially low," Gordon continued. "If the cost was higher, they would be driving less or using more efficient vehicles. Additionally, when gas prices become high enough, there is an increased motivation for gas station owners and operators to truck fuel in from greater distances – passing the additional cost on to consumers."

An Associated Press article also published today anecdotally highlighted this point. "Right now, I'll pay anything for gas," construction worker Larry Jenkins said. "I don't care if it's $5 or $6 a gallon. I need it."

"Alabamians should be proud that we beat Georgia on the football field over the weekend," Gordon said. "We should also be proud that we have better public policy pertaining to price gouging than Georgia. Or would the Montgomery Advertiser prefer that we limit our football scores to no more than one touchdown per quarter?"

As evidenced by recent debate pertaining to federal bailouts, the Libertarian Party is the only political party in America opposed to government intervention in the marketplace.

Stephen Gordon serves as the Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Alabama, Chair of the Libertarian State Leadership Alliance (national organization of LP state chairs) and as the eCampaign Manager for the Bob Barr 2008 Presidential Campaign.