You Might be Smarter than your State Representative if....

So I recently emailed my local State House Representative, Martha Alexander (D), to ask her what the State House of North Carolina is doing to try and help the growing economic situation and the effect gas prices are having on the economy.

Here's my exchange with her:

Me (Sent on July 15, 2008):

Representative Alexander,

You and I have had some communication regarding crime in and around our area of Charlotte. Also, as my local representative I wanted to contact you before contacting other state representatives.

My email to you concerns gas prices. What is being done on a state level to curb this problem? I know on a national level talks are beginning that might consider regulation of the industry a little more since prices are being driven up due to commodoties speculators/investors. However, on a state level what are you all working on? For example, I believe there is currently a $.24 per gallon state tax on gasoline. Is the House working on anything to help North Carolinians alike (possibly reducing the tax)?

Thank you for your time.

So, after not getting any response from her I sent this email to her on July 22nd:

Representative Alexander,

I sent the below email to you on August 15th and have yet to get any sort of a response from you. I would appreciate it if you would read my email and follow up with a response. Thank you.

Finally, today (July 24, 2008) I get this back from her (or maybe one of her staff members):

Dear Mr. Chandler,

Just a quick note to let you know gas prices are regulated at the Federal not the State level.

Representative Alexander

Okay, nervous yet? So, tell me, when did the government start regulating the price of gasoline? Also, if gas prices are regulated on the Federal level why is the state charging a $.24 per gallon tax? Ladies and gentlemen, this is what 1/3 of your paycheck goes to. I'm sure Martha Alexander is a wonderfully nice individual, but I find it troubling that a State Representative of North Carolina(who represents the citizens) doesn't know anything about the Gasoline industry; therefore, making herself look complete out of touch and completely un-educated on the issue.

Oh yea, and my response to her:

Thank you for your note.

What about the state's $.24 tax on each gallon of gasoline (Or am I wrong that the state does not charge a sales tax on each gallon of gas). Also, If gas prices were actually regulated by the Fed. Gov't wouldn't they be the same price in each state? Right now, I can buy gas in South Carolina for an average of about $3.87 per gallon and in NC the average price is about $4.00 per gallon.

If you think I'm being too hard on her then grow a pair. 1/3 of my check and $.24 per gallon of my gasoline goes to pay for this garbage. Hell, she didn't even answer the question and because her response was so far from the truth I had to educated HER on something that she should fully be aware of.