State Rep. W. Curtis Thomas demonstrates the typical politician's ignorance of economics.

His proposed Gasoline Station Dispensing Safety Act would require Pennsylvania gas stations to offer full service to customers.

Thomas' feel-good legislation would force gas station owners to redistribute existing employees' duties, hire additional employees or possibly overhaul their stations.

These changes cost money, time and labor. Additionally, the act further destroys the owner's private property rights.

Thomas fails to notice that consumers have already spoken. Though they might enjoy full service, they apparently prefer to save a few cents by operating the pumps themselves while only paying the wages of a single cashier to oversee the station. The diminishing number of full-service stations reflects this preference.

Unlike destructive government intervention, the free market does not pretend to solve all problems.

However, it is the best process for allocating scarce resources to benefit the most people.

Thomas verbalizes his ignorance when he said there is "no logical explanation for why gas prices are as high as they are" or "why they (prices) fluctuate so rapidly."

Politicians do not need to understand economics. They simply use their taxpayer-funded power to force mandates on their constituents, regardless of the destructive outcome.

Mark D. Valenti

Robinson Township