The piece by Julia Patterson that appeared in your paper (Dec. 9) was in serious need of a reality check.

Reality is, Yes, speculation may add a little to the price of gasoline, but other factors add far more to the price of gas.

For example, the citizens of this state voted to impose on themselves one of the highest gas taxes in the country, which, of course adds greatly to the price of gas.

This country has enough oil available to it to supply all of it's needs for the next 200 years, but Democrats and environmentalists won't allow us to access most of it so we have to depend on other countries for almost 70 percent of our oil. This adds a great deal to the price of gas.

The federal government requires our gas to be 15 percent ethanol. Ethanol damages our cars, lowers our gas mileage, adds to the cost of our food and adds to the cost of gas.

Reality is without government intervention, the price of gas would probably be half what it is today (diesel would be even cheaper.) It scares me to read about her attempt to get the government involved in oil speculators.

If she succeeds, just how high will our gas prices get?

Edward Towle
Des Moines