by Anthony Ratkov

Created on: May 19, 2010   Last Updated: May 20, 2010

Yes, the government can provide valuable assistance to the citizens of this country by establishing regulations that control the price of gasoline. The price structure of gasoline has been uncontrolled, so far, and has been governed by two factors: One factor is the greed of the oil companies and the other factor is the ability of the consumer to pay.

At some point, the need for gas rationing should be obvious to our lawmakers in Washington, and they should establish a government-approved price structure for gasoline, and they should also have a rationing plan in the works.

My own ideas for a price structure for gasoline depends on a rating system that's based on what kind of car you drive. If you drive a huge gas-guzzling car that uses a huge amount of gasoline, you would pay high prices for gasoline. If you drive a small, efficient car that uses only a small amount of gasoline, then you would pay only a small amount for gasoline.

For example, cars could be put into classes, based upon their MPG ratings. If a car gets less than 25 MPG, then it is a class D car. If a car gets between 25 and 30 MPG then it is a class C car. If a car gets between 30 and 35 MPG, then it is a class B car. If a car gets more than 35 MPG, then it is a class A car.

Each driver would have to have his car examined by a government agent to determine the MPG rating of the car. This rating may be given at the same time that you apply for your driver's license, or whenever you get your driver's license renewed. It may also be done whenever you buy or lease a new car.

After your car is rated, you will be given a rating ticket. The rating ticket would be a sticker that you must place on the windshield of your car. The rating sticker tells whether your car is a class A, class B, class C, or class D vehicle.

When you go to the gas station to buy gasoline, you will be required to get a card out of your pocket and show this card to the gas station attendant. This card informs the gas station attendant of your car's rating. All the gas stations in the U.S.A. would be required to obey the price structure established by the government.

If gas is sold to the driver of a class D car, the gas will cost six dollars per gallon. If gas is sold to the driver of a class C car, the gas will cost five dollars per gallon, if gas is sold to the driver of a class B car, the gas will cost four dollars per gallon, if gas is sold to the driver of a class A car, the gas will cost three dollars per gallon.

This system will guarantee that people who waste gasoline by driving huge cars will have to pay more for their gas, while people who save gasoline by driving small, efficient cars will pay less for their gasoline.

If these measures are not enough to slow down the consumption of gasoline, then a rationing system would be imposed, which would limit the number of gallons of gasoline you could buy per week, regardless of what kind of car you drive. Strict measures like this may be the only way to cope with severe gasoline shortages.

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