The hidden upside to higher prices

Noting that $3.50-a-gallon gas seems to be reducing his city’s notorious traffic jams, Los Angeles-based blogger Mickey Kaus wondered the other day whether “a secret base of support for higher gas prices” will emerge. After all, for people who can afford it, a higher gas price could be worth every penny if it meant “getting where I want to go in as little time as it took 20 years ago.” He’s clearly onto something here, and gasoline prices are just part of it.