Pump Prices Fuel Consumer Sentiments

How remarkable it is that gas prices are declining without mandates from the political class (“Pump Prices Starting to Ease,” Sept. 13).

People are actually capable of making up their own minds about how much gas they want to buy at whatever price, and finding ways around not having to buy gas. When demand falls and supply rises or is stable, price falls.

All this wondrous stuff without new laws, price caps and corporate average fuel economy mandates from Washington and Sacramento. Just weeks ago, they were sure the populace was too dumb to take care of itself without being told what to do.

George Schirtzinger

Pasadena

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“Oil Back at Pre-Storm Levels” (Sept. 7) says, “Crude oil prices fell below pre-Katrina levels Tuesday and wholesale gasoline prices also tumbled,” but “analysts cautioned motorists not to expect quick or sizable declines in pump prices.”

Strangely, it would seem that swift changes in pump prices can occur only on the upside.

Would you consider it fair to observe that, by their action (or inaction as the case may be), the industry is succeeding in supporting gas price regulation?

Richard N. McKirahan

San Diego