Nearly four years after President Biden’s green policies sent gas prices soaring above $5, left-leaning voices are finding a renewed faith in those elevated prices, as they put it.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg asserted that the Trump administration should “stop its crazy policies that are causing tremendous economic pain.” Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris stated that “Americans are paying the price” for what she labeled as “Donald Trump’s chosen Iran war.”
As the U.S. enters a record summer driving season, with midterm elections on the horizon, it’s expected that political discourse surrounding the Trump administration will heat up.
Harris has criticized Trump for rising gas prices, despite previously remarking that these costs were “the price we have to pay for democracy.”
The discussion could benefit from the perspective of economist Thomas Sowell, who famously said, “There are no solutions, only trade-offs.”
For instance, climate change activism surged during Biden’s term. Rising energy costs were justified as a necessary “trade-off” for the sake of environmental health.
Biden has labeled climate change an “existential threat,” while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the leaders behind the 2019 Green New Deal, claimed that the world could end by 2031 if action isn’t taken. “We are far behind and we are not going to catch up,” warned U.S. climate envoy John Kerry.
In contrast, the common sense of the American populace has emerged. Struggling with generational inflation, many are skeptical about policies like California’s electric vehicle mandate and New York’s gas stove ban.
In the 2024 elections, over 77 million voters rallied behind candidates who promised to “train the babies” and release America’s energy potential.
Upon assuming office, Trump acted swiftly, declaring a national energy emergency and reversing Biden-era regulations that had stifled the energy sector.
It’s worth noting that gas prices dipped to a four-year low last October, just before turmoil began in Iran. Trump maintained his view that Iran should not attain nuclear capabilities, bringing instability, especially in the Strait of Hormuz, which is crucial for global oil transport.
This has led to a spike in gasoline prices, and the impact is palpable—much like four years ago. As Trump remarked on May 19, “Thank you everyone for your patience for a little while. It won’t take much longer.”
Whether the risk of removing a longstanding regime that has terrorized America and its allies is worth it remains for the American people to contemplate.
There’s a comparison here between this situation and the climate change debate. The latter took a hit recently when the UN rolled back some of its operations, undermining its credibility.
Fear tactics from climate advocates have not only influenced policy but also stressed the need for stable energy sources, particularly during times of global uncertainty, like the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Although the U.S. is fortunate to have abundant natural resources—which cushions the impact—average gas prices in countries like France and the U.K. reached nearly $9 a gallon recently, almost double what Americans pay. Perhaps that’s a bit of comfort during Memorial Day weekend, but it does provide some context.
In under five months, American voters will face a choice between the trade-offs related to rising gas prices and the necessity of addressing a genuine existential threat. With the facts at hand, they are likely to make an informed decision.
However, one should be cautious of the loud voices that overlook the real problems while pursuing their agendas. The Green Agenda didn’t seem practical before, and it still doesn’t today. This is indeed a trade-off worth weighing as the country looks towards its future leaders.
