Letters: The politics of gas prices; Grateful for support, community

The politics of gas prices

Republicans love to play politics with gasoline prices. When prices were low in 2020, they claimed it was due to the wise policies of the “stable genius” in the White House. Now with prices considerably higher, the reason is the “socialist” agenda of the current administration.

Both claims are nonsense.

Gasoline prices fluctuate under the natural law of supply and demand. In 2020, we were not driving for pleasure due to COVID. Many people were working from home, and didn’t even drive to work. This reduction in consumption naturally led to lower pump prices. The policies of the administration had nothing to do with it.

Now, with widespread COVID vaccinations and lower case rates, people are driving to work and for pleasure again, so consumption (and prices) are up. Again, the current administration’s policies have nothing to do with it.

Increased demand for the product pushes up prices because suppliers recognize they can get away with it. Who can blame them? It is management’s duty to maximize profits to shareholders.

Here’s where the irony, and the hypocrisy, come in.

Republicans have long argued for the capitalist model and for governments to keep their hands off the private sector. “Don’t interfere with capitalism!” “Let the marketplace decide!”

Now that free market capitalism is giving us gas price inflation, the right wing is singing a different tune. Now the pain at the pump is Joe Biden’s fault. In truth, it is a natural consequence of the very economic structure they applaud.

Grateful for support, community

When my son with Down syndrome was born 35 years ago, there was no Down Syndrome Society in this region. I called a couple of local mothers of young children with Down syndrome, whose numbers I had received from a local agency, and they were helpful. But that was a far cry from the organized work and programs currently offered by the Centre Region Down Syndrome Society. I am so grateful that there is now a structured group ready to provide families with information, emotional support and many activities.

One CRDSS program that means a lot to me and my son is the For Good Performance Troupe. In this group, people with Down syndrome learn, practice and perform songs from various musicals. It’s directed by Krista Wilkinson, who does an amazing job. And the performers have a blast!

When they perform their signature song, “For Good,” from the Broadway musical “Wicked,” I always cry — every single time. It reminds me of that 30-something young woman (me), sitting alone on her couch staring into space after having given birth to a child with Down Syndrome, and having no idea that he would ever have the opportunity to do something like this, that brings him so much joy.

The Troupe has two performances a year. In April the performance will be in person for the first time in 2 years. My family will be in the audience and there will be tears of pride and joy in my eyes.

Reading into GOP campaign ads

I have been enjoying watching the Republican candidates for various state and federal offices eating each other alive in their TV commercials, each trying to outdo the others in their devotion to the former president, their dedication to destroying anything good for Pennsylvania or the country, and their thinly disguised racism. The recent ad by Jake Corman about gas prices was special in that he filmed it at a Citgo, which is majority-owned by the socialist government of Venezuela. As a rabid liberal myself, I’m not sure what to make of this, but I hope it lasts.