Politicians will say whatever they need to in order to get/remain elected. For example, from memory all candidates become in favour of ethanol when they visit the states that most benefit from it regardless of previous statements. They will say whatever they need to in order to secure their party's nomination and then become more "moderate" in order to win the floating voters.

I clearly remember Carter and thought reducing consumption was totally the obvious and right thing to do at the time since fossil fuels were finite (I didn't hear about PO or climate change then). Unfortunately over the years politicians did nothing and I forgot and was lulled into a false sense of "security" on the basis there couldn't be a problem if our leaders were ignoring it. Now over the last few years i have learned of PO, climate change, NPK, depletion of resources... and am pessimistic that politicians will do anything until the people demand action. Ggiven the voiciferous complaints over fuel prices that are still cheap i think it will be a long time coming.

There seems to be very little proper debate between the two parties, it's almost like name calling between kids with both sides trying to top the other's promises and show how they "feel" the people's problems and what they are going to do to "help" even if it is a crazy solution:-(

As for helping the poor working folks I believe O'Reilly would be opposed to raising the minimum wage. What he really wants is lower prices for himself but not the ability of the poor to compete with him in the market place. There are much better ways to financially help the poor other than lowering fuel prices. To begin with they could give out more food stamps so they could use their cash as they see fit. Universal health care would be a big financial help to the working poor who make too much for medicaid but don't have any fringe benefits at their low wage jobs. There could be a vehicle swap program where the poor would junk there old gas guzzlers in exchange for a high mpg American made car. Doing these things means not having our troops spread around the world as well as higher taxes on the rich.