Thanks to tumbling crude oil costs, most Americans are enjoying an early Christmas gift in the form of cheaper gas prices at the pump. Here in our home state of Tennessee, some areas have dropped below $1.99 a gallon. Experts don’t expect the trend to change anytime soon, although those savings won’t necessarily last in California, thanks to a problem of their own making. The reason? The state’s cap and trade law goes into effect New Year’s Day. CBS Los Angeles writes, “On Jan. 1, gas and diesel fuel will be subject to California’s cap and trade market because of a law passed in 2010. The program puts a price on the emissions coming out of drivers’ tailpipes.” How much are we talking? “The agency [California Air Resources Board] estimates the gas fee increase will be at most 10 cents a gallon – but the Western States Petroleum Association believes the spike could be as much as 76 cents a gallon.” Democrats would love nothing more than to implement this type of policy on a national level. But because they can’t get Republicans on board, they’ve employed the EPA to do their bidding instead. More…