How to lower gas prices - Marginal REVOLUTION

Here are 12 ideas to lower gas prices. Ten are from David Letterman and two or perhaps three are government ideas. Can you tell which is which?

12. Sell gas by the half-gallon

11. Sneak up to gas stations in the middle of the night and switch the price numbers

10. Cut out that expensive ingredient that gives it that delicious gas smell

9. Forget OPEC, start getting oil from Wal-Mart .

8. Stop Wal-Mart from selling gas at too low a price thereby taking over the world.

7. Step one: Oprah buys all the gas. Step 2: Oprah gives the gas away.

6. Stop gasoline stations from give awaying free coffee.

5. Build time machine, drive back to 1965 when gas was cheap.

4. Fill car with root beer. Cars won’t know no better.

3. Release the recipe so people can make their own

2. Drive really fast so you’re not driving so long.

1. Invade Iraq.

The government ideas? 8 and 6 (and arguably 1 which was also on #1 on Letterman’s list). Here’s the background. Minnesota’s Commerce Department has fined a number of gas stations, often attached to Wal-Marts, for selling gas too cheaply.

The state adopted a law in 2001 that bars gas stations from selling gas without taking a minimum profit. These days, stations must charge at least eight cents per gallon more than they paid. The Commerce Department is now issuing its first fines for breaking the law.

Elsewhere, it is now illegal for a gas station to give away free coffee with gas. Walter Williams has the story and the analysis.

Thanks to Truck and Barter for the link.