As gasoline prices climb steadily upward, with some predicting they may hit the $5 mark this summer, how is this affecting you? Are you figuring out ways to economize or are your trips so infrequent, your job so close to your home or your wallet so stuffed with cash that gas price hikes are not a problem?
Pain at the pump
No TrackBacks
TrackBack URL: http://blogs.suburbanchicagonews.com/cgi-bin/mt-tb.cgi/8503
I see gas prices are back down to the price in the picture. Whooppeeee!!!
Someone explain to me why it's necessary to commute and drive around alone in a 3500-5000+ vehicle? It is unsustainable at any gasoline price.
claimsmark:
Dude, you need some serious anger management.
The "abnormal" costs of gas are in large part the result of a lack of government leadership. Who is the leader what the ? Thats right, your incompetent president. Six years ago as I recall, Shell Oil paid to the US Government $2.4 BIL in leasing rights in the Arctic Ocean. Recently, Obamas EPA advisory board made up of primarily appointees of the EPA Director denied the Shell petition to drill because they did not include the emissions that would come from the tug boat on the site. EPA director Chinn has previously stated he wants gas at $10 per gallon to force we citizens to purchase electric cars. Obama goes to Brazil and spurs their off shore oil exploration with tax dollars from my pocket. So IMO, Obama and his regieme are running a government racket against Shell and improperly wasting my tax dollars. So you go blame Fox News for the poor approval ratings of this incompetent failure of a president. Meanwhile I will continue to believe he is an unaccomplished beneficiary of affirmative action throught out his life.
Every one of the oil companies could sell gasoline at the pump for $2.50 a gallon and still make a real healthy profit after expenses.
Oil companies are stellar performers in controlling and lowering production and delivery costs. When gas at the pump goes up like this there is no corresponding increase in expenses. The only thing that increases is the oil company profit margin and federal, state, and local taxes that are percentage multipliers.
Even the gas station owners get just as screwed as the consumer because the oil companies just raise the wholesale price of gas so the station owner isn't seeing any of the same windfall profit that the oil companies are getting.
The single number one biggest problem with oil prices is the futures market and how it is allowed to operate. The second biggest problem with oil prices are the sheer number of people who never see or touch oil yet needlessly drive the price of oil up only so they can personally profit.
Generally the free market system works well. In the case of oil it does not work well and if the oil companies can't stabilize prices and price fluctuations voluntarily then maybe it is time for either the oil market to be reformed or for the oil market to be regulated differently.
Greed is indeed the problem with the Gas prices - it is truly the problem through out the country and the reason for MOST of our problems both locally and nationally. As Citizens, we let the Oil Companies and the Politicians take and take, and treat us like we are stupid as they blame all the problems on the other party, and/or the middle class workers themselves.
Why are the wealthiest 1% gaining wealth at all time record paces? Why are more and more of us having trouble getting by week to week? Because we allow the politicians to reward the top (this is NOT trickling down you idiots - it's being pocketed and invested overseas).
If everyday Americans don't stand up and DEMAND changes - not just from Democrats, not JUST from Republicans - and certainly NOT from your middle class neighbors - but from ALL of those who are benefiting while we are suffering. That includes Dems, Republicans, CEO's, Corporate Hot Shots, Wall Street, and the Banks!!!!
It isn't brain surgery people. JUST FOLLOW THE MONEY!!!!!!!!
There is no oil shortage. There are no refinery shutdowns. There are no pipelines out of service. Gas stations can get all of the refined gasoline they can sell.
Studies have shown that we are driving fewer miles and getting better economy from more fuel efficient cars and that overall gasoline consumption has been steadily dropping for some time.
This is no longer a supply and demand problem. It is a greed problem.
The only reason we pay outrageous prices at the pump is because the way the oil marketplace has been designed and allowed to operate enriches and benefits everyone but the consumer.
Right now there are a lot of areas where consumers are demanding reform. Reform of the oil market process needs to be added to the list.
I drive about 30 miles a week, take less trips and cut back on other things. Will enjoy a staycation this summer.
No, no, it's really OBAMA'S fault!!!
There is only one person to blame for the soaring cost of gas: DICK FURSTENAU!!!