| Author |
Message |
    
Heather
Citizen
Username: Heater33
Post Number: 44
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 10:33 am: | 
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Did anyone else hear that all of NJ wll be experiencing gas outages? I was listening to the radio last night and caught the end of a statement - all gas stations will be affected. Now, I realize all the rich people keep getting richer, and BUSH is pretty much in bed with the oil companies, but as far as the little man goes, why are we allowing ourselves to keep getting screwed? My husband spends two hours in the car every day to get to/from work - its almost as if he's working to pay for gas to get to work. Working to pay the sitter has changed! It's now working to pay for gas! What can we do here? Anyone?? Ideas?? This summer is going to be awefull!! |
Darryl Strawberry
Supporter
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 7082
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 10:52 am: |
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We can start a war for oil..We can drill in Alaska..
Just a few ideas. |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 4795
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 10:54 am: |
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make the tax cuts permanent?
that's usually the solution they give for everything else |
Joanne G
Citizen
Username: Joanne
Post Number: 54
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 11:08 am: |
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For what it's worth, we're really hurting here in Australia, too. I'm not good at math so converting from litres to gallons is not a strong point however here is a local radio news item for comparison (we call gas 'petrol'):
Petrol prices tipped to soar
Australian fuel prices are set to take another leap towards the $1.50 a litre mark, after the latest oil price record.
The price of oil on the New York market has for the first time reached $US75 a barrel, amid concerns about the dispute over Iran's nuclear program.
Service Station Association president Richard Halstead says the oil price is unlikely to go back down, and petrol prices will continue to follow.
"If it stays up around that $US75 consistently then we're going to see another five cents on what we're looking at today," he said.
"So you could be looking at in June well into the $1.40s, $1.46 and an upward trend from there."
Mr Halstead says the upward trend is unlikely to end any time soon and Australian petrol will become even more expensive this year.
"A lot of people other than myself are putting it between $1.50 and $2," he said.
"Mind you they're already paying that in Europe these days - they pay well in excess of that, so we've still got it to come I guess."
ends
Just so you can compare what we pay now with what we used to pay, 3 years ago we paid around 80cents a litre; a month ago we paid around $1.15 a litre and on Thrusday it jumped to $1.37 a litre. My car's tank holds around 30 litres, lasts me just under a week (roughly) and I do at least 80 kilometers a day just getting to and from work. Hubby's petrol tank holds around 55 litres. We have to maintain two cars otherwise we're away from home for 18 hours each day, waiting for one another to finish work and driving from job to job.
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Southerner
Citizen
Username: Southerner
Post Number: 921
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 11:33 am: |
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Heather,
Why don't you simply move closer to your husbands work? Everyone complains but we all have the power to do something. If your husband wants to sit in a car and pay the gas prices then that is his choice so I don't see why you are complaining. Or is your husband forced to work there? |
tjohn
Supporter
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 4249
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 11:35 am: |
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One thing I like about living in Maplewood is that I am not a slave to my car. It would be inconvenient, but with a bit of effort, I can get by without my car.
How many Americans live, by choice, in a place where you need a car for everything, not just getting too and from work? That has to change. |
LibraryLady..
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 3313
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 11:35 am: |
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Jo, if you are using American dollars here, gas where you are is $6.34/U.S. gallon. If you are refering to Aussie dollars, the conversion to US is $4.71.
Either way, much more than we are paying here. |
cjc
Citizen
Username: Cjc
Post Number: 5563
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 11:36 am: |
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The gas outages are due to the switch over from MBTE to ethanol, from what I've read. On the one level, ethanol demand has taken off with the phase-out of MBTE and capacity isn't up to it yet. Distribution is harder as ethanol can't be sent via a pipeline long distance but has to be trucked in. Stations in making the switch must have their tanks entirely cleaned and I think outfitted to be able to blend gas and ethanol at the site. This will take them temporarily out of service. |
John Caffrey
Citizen
Username: Jerseyjack
Post Number: 192
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 11:58 am: |
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N.Y.T. this morning, individual stations will experience problems but this will not result in a shortage such as the 1970's.
Still, I was pleased that the Republican senators did not see fit to swear in the oil execs. when they appeared before their senate committee. Heaven forbid that we might even consider those execs. would lie about their profits.
Then Exxon reports their best quarter in history.
---Reminds me of a film in the 70's about oil wherein a character who works for an oil company asks, "what will the Arabs do?"
Oil Company Executive: "We are the Arabs."
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Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 9266
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 1:00 pm: |
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Eats Shoots & Leaves
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 3281
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 1:11 pm: |
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I was just down in Florida where gas is over $3.00 per gallon in most places for regular lower octane. My father, who drives people to and from airports for a living, just spoke with his dispatcher and they are raising their rates by $5.00 per trip to cover the rising fuel costs. They were also saying that the price of milk just jumped to cover transportation costs, and they are starting to get ready for inflation to kick in across the board--which is a problem for all their elderly friends in Florida who are on fixed (non-indexed) budgets. I did point out to them that the markets are shooting up also, so if any of their friends are invested they should be able to offset inflation, and their house values are increasing steadily, but since gas and dairy are so visceral in their lives their perception is still one of inflation cutting into their expenditures.
As always, reality is a mixed bag, but from what I heard from an admittedly small sample of the elderly in Florida, they are going to blame the Republicans for this one at voting time--then again, I heard this before and W still took the state. Oil prices and fears of inflation could play a large role in the coming election--look for both parties to try to exploit this in different ways. |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 1518
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 2:34 pm: |
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In the long run, the only answers are fuel efficiency, mass transit and short commutes. People and companies can start the move now, or wait until the shortage of drillable oil worsens.
If I had a two hour commute, personally I'd consider moving before the gas crisis gets worse. If I had an SUV, I'd replace it with something smaller. Since we've avoided both of those choices, the gas hikes don't hit us so hard.
Best of luck
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John Caffrey
Citizen
Username: Jerseyjack
Post Number: 195
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 3:17 pm: |
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Since most of the problem is demand-based, I blame the S.U.V. - hummer people. I saw an S.U.V. that had been vandalized with a bumper sticker,
"I'm changing the world's climate.
Ask me how."
While, people's cars shouldn't be vandalized, I do support the message.
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Southerner
Citizen
Username: Southerner
Post Number: 924
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 8:06 pm: |
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John,
If you see the problem as demand-based then why don't you blame the Chinese for overpopulating their nation? Or what about the other overpopulated countries. It seems to me you are blaming the wrong folks. And if you do blame the SUV folks then you should be loving the gas price increase and enjoying them paying $60-$80 bucks to fill up. I simply see this increase as business as usual. The cartel (OPEC) has us by the ..... They know it and we know it. And with other economy's emerging we no longer have the power to shake at them. They don't need us quite as much as before. The Asian nations are gobbling up demand. Eventually, China won't be able to provide for their masses and they will have problems. In the meantime, I'll pay whatever the price of gas is and move on. But I guarantee I won't sit in a car for 2 hours just to get to work. |
cjc
Citizen
Username: Cjc
Post Number: 5564
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 10:39 pm: |
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Why do so many see the problem as only demand based? It's like supply has to be static. I'm not saying things can't be accomplished on the demand side to address the problem, but you're eliminating half the equation from consideration. |
John Caffrey
Citizen
Username: Jerseyjack
Post Number: 197
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 1:47 pm: |
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Yes, supply is also part of the equation. Also, speculation on the Mercantile exchange. This is partly based on fear of the Decider-in-Chief bombing Iran and affecting that source of supply. |
Hoops
Citizen
Username: Hoops
Post Number: 1163
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 3:19 pm: |
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When supply is controled by a cartel then there is no hope to look for there. Unless we get OPEC to behave as individual entities we have no hope of looking for supply to ease.
This could be the best thing for everyone in the long run. Maybe this will finally force automakers to look seriously at alternative fuels and at cars that are efficient. |
Southerner
Citizen
Username: Southerner
Post Number: 927
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 5:13 pm: |
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Hoops,
We agree. Of course this is the best thing for the long run. Let the race to be the next Bill Gates begin! |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 4800
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 5:17 pm: |
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the sun has broken out from behind a weekend full of rain, and hoops, southerner and I all agree on something. It's an afternoon of minor miracles. |
Southerner
Citizen
Username: Southerner
Post Number: 930
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 5:19 pm: |
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tom,
We probably agree on a bunch of issues, but unfortunately this board has turned into a one trick pony. Dave should rename it Soapbox: Bash Bush. Then we could have another political section and probably agree on many fronts. |
notehead
Supporter
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 3193
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 11:51 am: |
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One has to wonder how much of the price hike is legitimately linked to Iran fears and ethanol conversions. I'd bet that the same mentality that caused the electricity industry to manipulate the supply of power and hold the state of California hostage is just as prevalent in the oil industry. Any pretext for raising the price will be jumped on.
That said, I think that these price increases are a necessary -- if painful -- push in the right direction. Our orthodox free-market advocates regularly say that our habits will only change when we start to feel the squeeze in our wallets. And they may be right. Taking a longer view or considering the larger impacts of satisfying our personal needs and desires seems to be exceptional behavior. Well, here is that squeeze. Have fun!
My Prius gets 43 mpg. My Scion xB gets about 28 (and has HUGE cargo capacity). My wife takes mass transit, and I made sure that I had a short commute when choosing where to work. This spike in the price of gas will really not affect us much at all. If it goes up to TEN bucks a gallon, we could still afford it, because we simply don't use much gasoline. If you are going to feel some serious pain if gas prices stay over 3 bucks per gallon for an extended period of time, well, what did you think was going to happen?
If you drive for a living, or have some other job that is closely tied to the price of transportation, the wisdom of considering a career change is hard to ignore. Tension over Iran will, hopefully, cool. Conversion to ethanol (which I wholeheartedly support, especially when it's domestic ethanol), will eventually be completed. Prices will go down. And then, they will go up again. And again. And again. Yes. They will. |
Robert Livingston
Citizen
Username: Rob_livingston
Post Number: 1861
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 12:10 pm: |
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A politically and environmentally active friend of mine from DC was in town this past weekend. Used to work for the EPA before Bush destroyed it. Of course, the conversation turned to gas prices and being green. He said right now the best and easiest thing for an earth conscious citizen to do - even more than recycling - is to boycott ExxonMobil. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13826
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 12:33 pm: |
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LibraryLady, I just checked http://www.xe.com which says that an US dollar gets you $1.34 AUS. There are 3.78 liters per US gallon. That means at $AUS 1.37 per liter, Joanne is paying $6.96 per US gallon.
Joanne, we are paying 74 US cents (55 Australian cents) per liter.
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John Caffrey
Citizen
Username: Jerseyjack
Post Number: 200
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 12:37 pm: |
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As well intentioned as a boycott of Ex-Mob is, in the end, it doesn't have effect because the oil companies are in collusion with each other. Why are the stations all charging the same for gas? It's called price fixing.
Now, if we don't buy Ex-Mob, that means the purchases (millions of gallons throughout the U.S.) will be made at Sun, Amoco, etc. Those companies do not have the capacity to produce the extra fuel under their brand. So, where will they get it but from -- you guessed it --
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Southerner
Citizen
Username: Southerner
Post Number: 936
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 4:42 pm: |
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notey,
This has to stop. We are agreeing too much lately. Your post is right on. Money will be made and lost. Currently the oil companies are making huge profits which I have no problem with. However, when the next Bill Gates emerges with an alternative, the money will shift hands quickly and I guarantee gas prices will drop.
On another note, I'm still waiting for us to steal and plunder Iraq's oil. Isn't that why we invaded?
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13839
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 8:08 pm: |
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No, we invaded to make oil prices more stable. Haven't you noticed the improvement?
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Southerner
Citizen
Username: Southerner
Post Number: 940
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 8:14 am: |
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Yes. They have been fairly stable above $2. I don't mind. I blame the Chinese and their desire to buy stuff and use vehicles. I say let them have it and sit in traffic for 3 hours a day getting to work. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13846
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 8:19 am: |
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sta-ble
1. a. Resistant to change of position or condition; not easily moved or disturbed: a house built on stable ground; a stable platform.
b. Not subject to sudden or extreme change or fluctuation: a stable economy; a stable currency.
c. Maintaining equilibrium; self-restoring: a stable aircraft.
It remains over $2 but it's not stable.
True, we don't have much control over China's demand, which means we have less control over oil price stability than we thought. The war was started -- let's be honest -- to exert a stabilizing force over prices. Not to plunder but to stabilize.
My observation is that each attempt to stabilize has the effect of destabilizing. So much for learning from history. And that leaves aside the ethics of invading a sovereign nation that neither attacked us nor had a plan to attack us.
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Chris Prenovost
Citizen
Username: Chris_prenovost
Post Number: 823
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 10:03 am: |
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Worried about high gas prices? Fear no more! Good old free enterprise will do the job for you.
If oil prices go high enough, then demand will fall. We will drive less, buy smaller hummers, and walk to Kings instead of driving the two blocks and waiting 20 minutes for a parking space in front of the post office. We would probably have a good incentive to turn down the air conditioning in our homes to the point where the ice cubes in our poland spring actually melted.
In 1973, with oil at $3 a barrel, this nation burned 18 million barrels a day. Ten years later, with oil at $30 a barrel, consumption fell to 14 million barrels a day.
We did it before, and we can do it again. |
notehead
Supporter
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 3200
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 11:44 am: |
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Southerner... I'm concerned. If you don't reflexively gainsay my position, I won't know how to respond! ACK!  |
GOP Man
Citizen
Username: Headsup
Post Number: 327
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 11:54 am: |
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Screw conservation. As a wealthy entrepreneur, I've earned the right to do whatever I please with my money. And I don't feel like walking around when I can drive in comfort. Maplewood's allegedly diversity-loving citizens don't extend their tolerance to me and my Hummer, I can assure you. I endure taunts and threats on a daily basis, but all the libs can kiss my •••. I earned the right to my SUV, and you're all just jealous. Gas at $5 a gallon? who cares? rich guys like me certainly don't. |
steel
Citizen
Username: Steel
Post Number: 1039
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 12:54 pm: |
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The President has a multi-pronged approach to the problem of high gas prices.
As reported by the A.P. on Bush's speech today:
"Easing the environmental rules will allow refiners greater flexibility in providing oil supplies since they will not have to use certain additives such as ETHANOL to meet clean air standards".
The President also called for increased use of alternative fuels, like, ETHANOL. |
Hoops
Citizen
Username: Hoops
Post Number: 1177
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 1:00 pm: |
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Bush has unilaterally decided that its ok to pollute the air to reduce the price of fuel.
cough cough
Its a multi-PRONGED approach alright.
SMOG anyone? |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13852
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 1:04 pm: |
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Right, Hoops.
Mario Cuomo said something very much like, "the test of a society's morality is how it treats the environment, because there is no profit in doing the right thing."
This latest suggestion from Bush, therefore, fails Cuomo's morality test.
Not that I expect it to trouble him.
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notehead
Supporter
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 3203
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 4:21 pm: |
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Actually, there is more profit in doing the right thing over a long period of time. But the costs of not doing the right thing tend to be harder to define, spread out over a long period of time, and are virtually never paid by the individuals that incur them. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13856
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 4:23 pm: |
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Right, so no one pays aggregate cost except for everyone. 
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Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1784
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 4:35 pm: |
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I don't understand if there is such a oil shortage how it's fair that the oil companies have had such UNBELIEVABLE record profit years. I think it is time for the Government to step in and monitor gas pricing.
You may say that war has had nothing to do with oil but I have watched the oil companies raise gas prices (I would argue indiscriminately -- considering the monstrous profits they earned) since the start of the war. So who says that big oil (bush and his buddies) haven't earned a profit on this war? |
Robert Livingston
Citizen
Username: Rob_livingston
Post Number: 1863
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 4:38 pm: |
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It's laughable listening to Bush pretend to be outraged at the oil companies. What a joke. Worst president ever indeed. |
Southerner
Citizen
Username: Southerner
Post Number: 941
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 6:20 pm: |
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Notey,
I call them as I see them. If I agree with you then I have no problem stating it, just like I have no problem disagreeing no matter how bad I am attacked. I rather like my opinion. And Reingold, you got me. Remember, I'm not here to make perfect points or posts. Mostly, I just like to remind you Maplewood libs that you are wrong more times than right on political issues. As for gas prices, what is the big deal? If you can't afford to buy then you probably shouldn't. Gas is a product, if you want it then pony up. If oil companies are forced by government order to reduce prices then so should Sony and allow me to get one of those flat screens for cheap. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13865
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 6:33 pm: |
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Remember, I'm not here to make perfect points or posts.
Now that we have that on record, what other pearls will you be offering us?
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Southerner
Citizen
Username: Southerner
Post Number: 943
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 8:06 pm: |
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None. And Tom, of all people to make that type of comment. I don't believe you have had a genuine Reingold stance on anything lately. You hide behind Krugman's words and then act superior if someone dares to disagree. I know you are a smart guy, but why not try giving your own opinion sometime. Atleast Krugman is getting paid while he writes his column. Is he giving you kickbacks or does he have some kind of voodoo spell on you? Either way, I'm not looking to solve the worlds problems, but enjoy reading how you, I mean, Krugman plans to. |
cjc
Citizen
Username: Cjc
Post Number: 5566
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 9:41 pm: |
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Gas shortage? Where are the lines? Sure there are some stations that run out, possibly because their blend didn't arrive or they dropped their price enough to have a big run before the next shipment came in. Gas shortage means the 70s in my thinking, and that's not happening. What's the percentage of profit they're making on a gallon of gas? Surely those claiming they're making excessive profits have an answer at the ready. Are they reaping any more than the government is off the taxes at the federal and local level? |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 4812
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 11:03 pm: |
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It's publc knowledge that Exxon had record profits the last quarter. Whether we've got the exact percentage of this or that handy is irrelevant. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13867
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 8:42 am: |
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Southerner, I've been stating my opinions, but not for your benefit.
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Scully
Citizen
Username: Scully
Post Number: 366
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 9:14 am: |
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Southerner, since the vast majority of Tom Reingold's
posts have nothing to do with Krugman, your comments
at 8:06 make no sense... |
notehead
Supporter
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 3210
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 1:07 pm: |
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People are running out of gas on purpose, apparently to try to save money by getting free gas from the trucks who come to help them.
Aside from the moral issues this clearly exhibits, one has to wonder why these goofy individuals don't realize that the half hour or so of their lives that they spend waiting for the truck to show up is probably worth more than the $3 gallon of gas they get.
<sigh> |
cjc
Citizen
Username: Cjc
Post Number: 5570
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 9:42 pm: |
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Tom -- what are you talking about saying the percentage of profit off of a gallon of gas is irrelevant. How can anyone make the case of 'gouging' if they don't know, unless of course making a good case isn't a goal on this board.
If they're making 6% off every gallon of gas and they're having record profits, perhaps that's because they're selling more gas at that same 6%. Have you seen fewer cars on the road? Do you expect that to happen going into the summer/vacation driving season? So is that gouging? If they streamline their business because of mergers and that profit is able to expand -- as is the case with many corporations lately when they 'cut costs' -- in addition to selling more gas, is that gouging too? Does Exxon set the price of a barrel of oil? Exxon makes something like 6% net after costs and expansions and capital improvements and the feds take what percentage? Who's gouging here? |
Hoops
Citizen
Username: Hoops
Post Number: 1189
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 11:05 pm: |
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common sense says that if the oil companies are making record profits, more profit then any other industry ever, and I heard it was 1 trillion dollars profit as an industry, then all you can say is that they are greedy and taking advantage of all of us.
It seems to me that since as Bush said we are addicted to oil, then oil should be regulated. The price of the commodity should be held to a reasonable rate. It was already a hardship at 1.80 a gallon, now its 2.80. All of our goods and services are going to be more expensive due to increased shipping costs.
It is extremely important for the government to get a grip on these companies, companies that they allowed to write the recent 'energy' bill and which were given corporate welfare to the tune of 12 billion of our tax dollars. Seems to me like they are not playing fair. |
notehead
Supporter
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 3215
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 11:19 am: |
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Hey, our deeply concerned friends in the Republican party have suggested that the government give everybody a hundred bucks to help cope with gas prices. BRILLIANT! Problem solved! I wonder how many people will vote for them as a result of this...? 
Meanwhile, there are also stories of Prius drivers getting flack from others in California and perhaps elsewhere. Niiice. This display of human nature is just the tiniest indicator of the direction things might take when energy costs get even higher. I'm thinking that NOW is the time to start looking at real estate in someplace more lightly populated, like Greenland. |
Hoops
Citizen
Username: Hoops
Post Number: 1194
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 11:37 am: |
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The best place to start in reducing the price at the pump is to eliminate the speculation that occurs outside of the recognized commodities exchanges in New York and Chicago. 80% of all the oil speculation occurs outside of the FTC regulated exchanges and the price is run up on 'fear' and 'shortage' rumors.
Mandating that oil be traded only on regulated exchanges will put some control on the speculators and will - according to a congressman I heard today on CSPAN - take the price per barrel of oil down about 20 bucks per barrel.
The government should also look into why refinery profits rose 250%. It seems to me that refineries have no extra work to do - oil comes in crude and goes out ready for market. Why should their profit have risen that high? The markup must have likewise risen. That is price gouging.
taking care of that will go a long way to reducing what we pay at the pumps. |
tjohn
Supporter
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 4268
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 11:54 am: |
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Markets can be irrational in the short-term but are generally rational over the long-term.
Get used to higher fuel prices. The upward trend is prices is here to stay barring some sort of calamity.
We should all walk a bit more or ride our bikes. Not only will we save money on energy, but we will be healthier and our health care costs will decrease. |
themp
Supporter
Username: Themp
Post Number: 2829
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 1:37 pm: |
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What about that epic family drive to Disneyland that we all dream of/dread? Unethical? An anachronism? |
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