what needs to happen for gas prices to go down?
478800
WRITE CONGRESS AND THE SENATE AND ASK WHY THEY WILL NOT RELEASE OUR OIL RESERVES???? THIS WOULD HELP BRING DOWN THE PRICE OF GAS!!! ALSO ASK WHY WE HAVE NOT BUILT ANY MORE REFINERIES IN DECADES!! THE OIL COMPANIES PURCHASED ONE A FEW YEARS BACK AND SHUT IT DOWN AND REFUSE TO OPEN IT AGAIN!!The soaring profits have already attracted the attention of many members of Congress. On Tuesday, House Speaker Dennis Hastert warned companies that any price gouging is "unacceptable, and any company who does it will be prosecuted." He urged the oil companies to explain to the American public what they are doing to bring down the cost of oil and natural gas. And he urged them to build new refineries and pipelines. THERE HAS BEEN NO NEW OIL REFINERIES BUILT IN THE USA SINCE 1976! WHY HUGE PROFITS AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHIGN ABOUT IT!!!
1026623
Inflation.  Today's high gas prices are caused not by shortages, as the world is awash with oil.  The current pricing is driven by distribution.  Any disruption of the distribution process creates shortages, which lead to scarcity and high prices.  Current oil prices are driven by speculation in the oil commodities market.  At some point, fuel alternatives will be developed, and prices will abate.  When that happens, speculators holding high priced oil futures contracts will lose money.  The propensity is to keep prices high to avoid loss.  When, and if oil production in offshore Gulf of Mexico come back on line, oil prices will drop, probably sharply.\nThe price of petroleum affects every aspect in the production of economic goods and services, worldwide.
476079
There are laws prohibiting antitrust and collusion for gas prices or any other industry.  However, since there are no charges being brought forward, then the general conclusion is that prices aren't being fixed.
576619
Won't work, the refinery that sell to the big boys also sell to the mom and pop store.\n\nThe key is to get more fuel effecient vehicles or ones that run on fuels other than gasoline.  We already have natural gas vehicle and hybird gas / electric cars which is probable the way to go.
506424
Gas prices are going up everywhere for a variety of reasons, not all of which are "greedy oil companies." But I won't go into that.\n\nBecause of the mild winter we've just experienced, there is quite a bit of oil supply right now. I think prices will drop soon.\n\nBest of success.
475568
I think that most Americans have stopped buying "unnecessary" fuel, but they are making more than enough money back off of just the necessary fuel (fuel that is needed for daily life, not all of us can walk to work/carpool)... if you have to have it, you have to have it... cuting consumption further isn't an option for most...\n\nSo what happens when capitiolism fails... seems like we are reaching that point with oil... increasing costs could have a crippling effect on our economy through inflation (especially if costs continue to go up)... is it worth it?\n\nThe reserves should have been released a while back... that's just silly, but that's also a Bush...
303377
no\nand how would democrats lower gas prices?
299615
If we bomb Iran, we will suddenly see gas prices between $7-10 dollars a gallon and even higher as we see massive gas shortages.  \n\nIf we leave Iran alone, we'll see gas prices at an average of $3.50 for the summer, $4 by fall or higher if a hurricane hits the gulf.
628324
Gas prices will never go down. You might see a small reduction after a massive increase, but $3 a pop is now the price. I bet you will see $3.50 a gallon by the end of summer.\n\nWith your suggestions I believe you think American corporate price gouging is the cause for high prices. Most people point to supply and demand. But if price gouging is a factor, I fear there is no solution.  That is what Capitalism is all about.\n\nMost of middle America hates the prices, but loves the profits they are accruing with stocks in their 401K. ExxonMobile made $10 million in one month, made $1 billion last quarter. ConnocoPhilips made about 1/3 that in profits as well.\n\nThere just aren't enough people in the country that don't profit from selling gas to go beyond complaining about the price.  A boycott will not work.\n\nThe only thing we can hope for is the Feds suspend their gas tax for awhile.\n\nEDIT:\nOn another note, we Americans are too damn hypocritical.  We want the world to be democratic & capitolistic, but when oil prices rise, we want our people and government to act more with socialism values.  People chanted in the streets "No blood for oil!" when protesting in the 1990's, but now Americans want their oil.  What the hell is wrong with us?
534849
Probably alternative fuels.  It would be nice to spend some research and get some other sources to diversify risk.  Right now, if the Middle East embargoes oil, we would be sunk.  If we had other sources, it wouldn't be as big of a deal.
202996
I have! Oil prices go down and gas goes up. Supplies increase the price at the pump goes up. The 2nd biggest oil deposit in the world comes under U.S. control.... You get the idea. Enough is enough. His friends have all made a buck on this insanity, let's go back to $1.00 a gallon.
261865
Demand is Growing:  More people own an SUV (gas hogs).\nIf everyone would switch to a hybrid vehicle, they would cut their need for gas by 65%.  Demand would fall and gas prices would fall.  \nUnfortunately there are too many irresponsible people in the world and this will ultimately lead to our demise.
481296
I read a report about 6 months ago that said gas prices would have to exceed $6.00 per gallon before it would even change our personal driving habits.  I believe this and I also believe the first 2 answers you got.  If the price gets high enough, will figure out something better.
646770
They wouldn't be able to afford cars and gas in their country, so once they're here they'll have cars and add to the demand on gas. \n\nThe gas will keep going higher and higher. There's no end in sight to the gas problem, but yes based upon supply and demand, this problem can increase the demand even more.
873620
If they release oil reserves every time the price rises a little it will go down, but we will pay for it dearly when the oil producing countries see that our reserves are getting low. Six years ago our reserves were at an all time low. We held our own for a while but eventually the suppliers realized we didn't have backup and that's how we reached the all time high prices. Several months ago the reserves were in the ninety percent range and that is when it finally started dropping. If they do use the reserves properly gas prices will remain stable. If it does drop dramatically look out we will pay for it later.
333182
It's all about supply and demand, and right now Americans demand a lot of gas.  If we stopped filling our cars up and driving so much, the price of gas would (eventually) go down.  Think of it like this:  if you sell grapes at a farmers' market where grapes are normally 69 cents a pound, then suddenly everyone wants your grapes, you can raise the price of grapes until the point where people say that your grapes are too expensive (say, $2 a pound), and then they will stop buying them.  Now, economics and human behavior determine the point at which supply equals demand, and where those two lines cross is the top price people will normally pay for something - grapes, gas, etc.  \n\nGas prices won't go down until people reach the point where they say enough is enough.  Then they have to physically stop buying the gas.  Complaining about the price alone will not affect anything.
323088
Gas prices will never go down.  You might see a small reduction after a massive increase, but $3 a pop is now the price.  I bet you will see $4 a gallon by the end of summer.\n\nWith your suggestions I believe you think American corporate price gouging is the cause for high prices.  Most of the other answers point to supply and demand.  But if price gouging is a factor, I fear there is no solution.\n\nMost of middle America hates the prices, but loves the profits they are accruing with stocks in their 401K.  ExxonMobile made $10 million in one month, made $1 billion last quarter.  ConnocoPhilips made about 1/3 that in profits as well.\n\nThere just aren't enough people in the country that don't profit from selling gas to go beyond complaining about the price.