While the rise in gas prices has been well documented, the more pressing issue is Diesel fuel – and its concerning increase poses a major threat to the future of America.
Diesel fuel is a staple for farmers and truckers across the country responsible for supplying Americans with essential goods and its price increases are rapidly outpacing that of gasoline.
According to AP, diesel was averaging $5.52 a gallon nationally Tuesday — up 68% from a year ago, when it was selling for just $3.28.
By comparison, a gallon of regular gasoline is averaging $4.50, up 42% from a year ago.
While gas prices have somewhat settled over the last couple of weeks, diesel is a different story and American refineries are operating near capacity.
The ramifications of chronically high diesel prices could, on its own, be enough to catapult this country into a recession. The high costs are also reportedly deterring some truck companies from accepting jobs unless they can persuade their customers to bear the added cost of more expensive fuel.
“There will be more logistical shortages,” said Phil Verleger, a veteran energy economist. “Americans will find more empty shelves and higher prices.”
“If you’re a farmer, then your energy costs are higher, and therefore it’s costing more to produce grain, and that’s pushing the price of grain up, and that’s pushing the price of food up,” observed Matt Smith, lead oil analyst at Kpler, a research firm.
The elevated diesel prices are directly contributing to the inflated cost of goods. Consumer prices soared 9.1 percent in June compared with 12 months earlier.
Higher transportation costs are often passed on to consumers, forcing them to cut back on spending at grocery and other retail stores, slashing demand and exacerbating an economic slowdown.
As the issue persists, Democrats in Congress appear unwilling to provide any effective relief. They have refused to even enact a tax holiday on gas or diesel taxes which would be a minor help to this major issue.
Biden himself has proven himself unable to resolve the crisis, and his most recent trip to Saudi Arabia – which was intended to beg for OPEC to produce more oil – is a perfect example of that as he left the country with another failure on his belt.
Meanwhile, members of the Biden administration continue to insist that high fuel prices are a good thing, with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg again suggesting praising the fact that it forces desperate Americans to embrace their green energy agenda.
Buttigieg said during a congressional hearing that “the more pain” Americans experience from high gas prices, the more “benefit” there is “for those who can access electric vehicles.”
GOP Rep. Thomas Massie noted during the hearing that buying electric cars will actually cost Americans more in energy costs, and use more fossil fuel derived electricity.
These Democrats want to do all they can to hurt us and get people and businesses to buy Electric cars and trucks which are pure junk.