WASHINGTON – Most Americans are angry over gasoline prices at or near $3 a gallon.

And the news media are stoking that anger with incessant reporting about the problem – mostly by allowing drivers to vent their pique while standing in front of gas pumps.

It’s a familiar scene on the TV news shows, the subject of many a hand-wringing article in newspapers and a lively sound bite on radio.

At the same time, bloggers on the Internet are advancing a variety of conspiracy theories about why the prices are so high. A greedy plot between President Bush and his Big Oil pals seems to be the most popular.

So with all that anger out there and this being an election year for members of Congress, it seems no politician wants to be caught looking like he or she is insensitive to voters’ concerns. Thus, we are being flooded with all kinds of proposals designed to show they’re on the case, regardless of whether the plans are realistic or will solve the problem.

If it sounds good, say it. Message: We care.

Bush, who isn’t running in November but whose Republican compatriots in Congress are in danger of losing their majorities in the House and Senate, also has tried to look like he’s doing something.

Earlier in the week, he said he would ask the Energy and Justice departments to look into gasoline pricing and make sure oil companies aren’t taking unfair advantage.

And on Thursday, standing in front of a BP gas station in Biloxi, Miss., the president said he’s asking Congress for authority to raise fuel efficiency standards for cars. He already has the authority to do that for light trucks, including SUVs.

The Bush proposals seem relatively modest when compared with some of these ideas shrilly coming out of Congress:

“ Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who is considering a second run for the presidency in 2008, has introduced legislation to repeal what he calls “tax giveaways” for oil companies.

“ Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., up for re-election this year, proposed what she calls “a national gas price-gouging ban that would outlaw gas price-gouging at all levels, impose tougher fines and criminal penalties on violators and give federal and state authorities new powers to … go after companies that manipulate oil and gas prices.”

“ Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid and other Democratic senators are urging removal of what they call “massive and unwarranted subsidies to Big Oil” in the tax reconciliation bill.

“ Not to be outdone by the Democrats, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and other Republicans announced new legislation to give motorists a $100 rebate to ease the effect of higher gas prices. They would repeal certain tax breaks for oil companies and expand tax incentives for hybrid autos. They also would open Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling, a Democratic no-no.

“ House Majority Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo., announced plans to introduce legislation to lower the price of gas by curbing the number of specialty blends of gasoline on the market.

Through it all, Democrats are blaming Republicans and Republicans are blaming Democrats for the high prices. In the heat of political battle and breathless reporting, little is said about the complicated nature of global supply and demand, and how expanding oil supplies and developing alternative fuels are long-term, not immediate, solutions.

In this hot environment, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., a potential 2008 presidential candidate who knows how to get media attention, issued this press advisory:

“With gas prices skyrocketing and President Bush and the Republicans in Congress refusing to act to ease the burden on American families and businesses. … Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., and Sen. Clinton will join a local small business owner and local residents in Queens at a press conference at a local gas station, highlighting the burden placed on Americans having to pay outlandish prices at the pump.”

More venting. Through it all, prices remain high and few know why.