Congressional leaders in Washington D.C. and the White House want to talk about the economic problems our nation faces, yet basically ignore the proverbial big, white elephant in the room: Gas prices.

House and Senate Democrats are already talking about the need for a second economic stimulus plan, despite the fact that the first one hasn’t even taken effect. Meanwhile, President George W. Bush seems to have his head buried in the sand when he keeps saying that the economy will rebound by the end of the year.

Of course it will. Our nation’s economic climate likely has nowhere to go but up.

It seems that both political parties are out of touch with one of the biggest problems facing our nation and that is fuel costs.

Congress must begin creating a plan now that would curb fuel prices and make it affordable.

The Democrats want to push another stimulus plan — even though we haven’t had time to see if the first $168 billion plan works — and focus on other programs such as unemployment benefits and food stamps.

These are real problems that have to be addressed, but it is important that our leaders see the big picture and don’t rush on another incentive plan simply because it will make for nice campaign fodder in November.

No amount of incentive checks, tax credits or other packages will truly “fix” our economy if gas prices continue to soar, driving up the costs of everything else.

A middle class family may get a $1,200 stimulus check, but how much of that will it take just to go about their daily routines?

Many Republicans, on the other hand, seem content to do very little, if anything. They join the president in continually saying that everything will get better.

Saying it over and over again doesn’t make it true.

Our leaders need to continue the economic revitalization plans already implemented but also make energy costs the top priority.

Anything less just continues to ignore that proverbial elephant until our nation’s economy gets completely trampled.