An unlikely bargain

Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel: Who would have thought gasoline at $2.21 a gallon would seem so welcome? That price, the average for regular in Orlando last week, was 50 cents lower than the cost just a month ago.
Gas prices, while still higher than a year ago, have fallen as Gulf Coast oil facilities damaged by hurricanes have come back on line and driving demand has eased. But Congress and President Bush would be foolish to let the drop deter them from aggressively pursuing an energy policy that reduces America's oil dependence.
The recent decline in gas prices doesn't signal an end to this country's energy problems. In the short term, many analysts believe gas prices will begin climbing again with the start of the 2006 vacation season. Over the long term, the growing demand for oil from China and India will continue to keep upward pressure on world energy prices.