Hats off to Sen. Maria Cantwell, Democrat, who is spearheading an investigation into two West Coast refineries for allegedly producing gasoline during May and October when they said they had to shut down for maintenance. These "shut downs" spiked gasoline prices during these months causing West Coast motorists to pay at least 50 cents more per gallon that the national average. Some Californians had to pay more than $5 per gallon. A McCullough Research firm reports that Royal Dutch Shell's Martinez, Calif., plant and Chevron's Richmond, Calif., refinery were producing gasoline during these "down" times.

A Nov. 25 AP article states that five other Democratic senators representing Washington, Oregon and California have joined Sen. Cantwell asking the Justice Department to investigate the role of oil refineries during these May and October gasoline spikes. Why aren't Republican Senators also demanding an investigation? You mean the party that wants to continue tax breaks and subsidies to greedy conglomerates like the oil companies! Republican "silence" to this allegation is further evidence that Republican leadership just doesn't get it. In 2012, most middle class Americans are fed up with leaders who want to continue last century's out-of-date policies and practices that widen the gulf between the haves and the have nots.

Brian Rae

Lynden