Rising gas prices threaten our economic recovery

What’s that old saying? “One step forward, two steps back.”

Just as our economy is starting to move again, rising gas prices threaten to put the brakes on the recovery.

Gasoline is at the highest price ever for this time of year. AAA reports the average price in Washington on Feb. 22 was $3.68 a gallon. That’s up 14 cents in a week and 21 cents in a month. Analysts say gas could hit $4.25 a gallon or higher by late April.

Rising prices for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel increase the cost of virtually everything because millions of products worldwide use refined petroleum somewhere along the way...