I know that Republicans have made this an entirely political issue. Their "news" sources have told them that the high gas prices are not because of speculation and they do this because they want the gas prices to be sky high with a democrat in office. They blame it on things like the Keystone pipeline. I just hope people listen to these facts with an open mind. These financials institutions are causing you to pay a lot more money at the pump, and they are giving a lot of that money to Republican candidates who in turn vote down legislation to stop the speculation.

Here are the facts: Domestic production in the US is at an 8 year high. Imports are at a 17 year low. More oil rigs at work in the US today than in the rest of the world combined. The number of oil rigs in the US today has quadrupled since Obama took office. Last year, the US became a net exporter of oil for the first time in 62 years. This demonstrates that this is NOT a supply driven problem. This is not a demand driven problem either. Demand is down 17% since 2008. More than 60% of the oil market is controlled by speculators. When profits are pursued at the expense of our families and at the expense of our economic recovery than something must be done. Cut out the speculators and cut out the subsidies for Oil companies.

I am an Independent voter and citizen in every way. I sometimes agree with Republicans, sometimes with Democrats and I try to look at everything with an open mind. I hope you can, too.