Poll watch: gas question is biased

Question concerning the cause of high energy prices is biased:


"Please tell me whether you think each of the following is a major cause of the recent increase in gasoline prices, a minor cause, or not a cause at all. . . ."
.
Major Cause
Minor Cause
Not a Cause
Unsure

%
%
%
%

"U.S. oil companies"
7/27-29/08
68
26
7
-

.
"Foreign countries that produce oil"
7/27-29/08
65
28
7
-

.
"Financial speculators"
7/27-29/08
57
32
10
1

.
"Rising demand from other countries such as China and India"
7/27-29/08
56
34
9
1

.
"The Bush Administration"
7/27-29/08
54
35
11
-

.
"The war in Iraq"
7/27-29/08
51
36
13
-

.
"Federal laws that prohibit increased drilling for oil offshore or in wilderness areas"
7/27-29/08
51
32
17
-

.
"The Democrats in Congress"
7/27-29/08
31
43
26
-

You should notice that the most obvious reason that energy prices are higher is high demand from THIS COUNTRY.

Just like part of the reason that prices have fell recently is the lower demand from this country due to the higher prices.

It seems we often resent the free market in our country and like to look elsewhere and otherwise to explain normal market fluctuations.

As democrats, we should look to have comprehensive answers that make sense for both the short and long term. We should set the agenda, and be a responsible and sustainable majority party.

Craig Farmer