Why Does Gasoline Cost $4.00 Per Gallon??? - Page 12

OldManOnFire · 06-19-2008, 01:51 PM

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Originally Posted by PursuitOfHappinessParty

A reasonable answer. My next question is, then, if you view monopolies as generally unfair trade how can you not equate that to the oil companies as well? Especially to the monitored and regulated part.

I don't view monopolies 'as generally unfair trade'. Monopolies of which we have them in most all of our lives are just fine as long as they are regulated for the good of it's captive customers. All other monopoly scenarios are unacceptable...period.

There are no oil company monopolies--you can buy oil and gasoline and diesel, etc. from any number of strong competitors. This is like saying all computer manufacturers have a monopoly??

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How do you give oil companies such as Exxon, who posted record breaking profts during the initial steep climbs of pump prices, such a pass as you did when comparing them to traditional companies and corporation?

News flash: Exxon/Mobil and all the other oil/gas companies are FOR-PROFIT private businesses and their prime objective is to maximize profits for their employees and shareholders.

Instead of complaining there should be cheering for their successes. And remember, give these oil companies enough grief and they have the right to sell all or a portion of their companies to foreign interests. Instead of complaining all day long, how about doing some research and tell us how many jobs these companies create, how well they do for their shareholders, how well they do for their employees, how many charitable contributions they have made, how they have provided gas products day in and day out without a glitch, etc. Let us know the good they provide before you cut their legs out from under them.

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I ask this with my POV being that Exxon by its very nature is an unfair trade practicing company as well as pointing out that Oil products have gone beyond leisure/luxury and are now a necessity or basic requirement.

Let's see...water is a necessity, food is a necessity, transportation is a necessity, medical care is a necessity, American Idol is a necessity, and so on. Please tell me how oil companies are any different from these product areas I just mentioned??

This IS NOT about the oil companies...it's about you and me and 300 million others in the US who need to assess the situation, make changes which we feel are necessary for our survival or happiness, and get on with life...

Malkavian · 06-19-2008, 01:51 PM

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Originally Posted by PursuitOfHappinessParty

There's nothing wrong with that dog on your signature either.

The dog is absolutely fine. If he wasn't vet would have done something.

Malkavian · 06-19-2008, 01:54 PM

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Originally Posted by PursuitOfHappinessParty

Wow, I hadn't noticed how much hardware I've picked up until I see a new member.

I'm a vet!!!

No you are not. If you were, you'd know that the dog is fine.

Malkavian · 06-19-2008, 01:57 PM

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Originally Posted by wayers57

Everyone should get a turn, no one cared when Microsoft, Intel, Cisco was taking advantage of a market and raping the consumer right and left. Now the car people are raping owners of SUV's on trades for nothing cars that get decent mileage but won't bring shit when they are traded in.

Your style of posting is familiar, but in of itself that doesn't mean much..

So... welcome a board, or welcome back! Either way....

OldManOnFire · 06-19-2008, 02:13 PM

[quote]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PursuitOfHappinessParty

The technology is in its infancy and will only get better with exploration and funding.
But that's the rub, isn't it? We need an answer to our fuel costs, foreign involvments, and such RIGHT NOW.

There are no RIGHT NOW answers.

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I'm for an all-out blitz by our government to make alternative fuels and power happen. Until then? We must reinvest in American oil, move the mooses over and scare some sharks. A couple of new refineries is necessary. This is a band-aid until the other alternative technologies shake out and come up with truly viable solutions.

Think about what you are saying; a blitz to create alternative fuels yet ask someone to invest billions in exploration/drilling/refineries--won't be done in a blitz scenario. Most all oil companies are already spending billion$ in research and development of alternative energies. It takes how many years--5 to 10 minimum to retrieve new oil or build refineries and at huge costs! If there might be less demand for fossil fuels due to alternative energy or whatever, a company or private investor would be a fool to invest in drilling and refining.

Most people in America are obsessed with instant gratification! Most believe there is a quick solution for oil/gas prices and most are waiting for someone else to put this fix in place. Well there are no short term fixes and real-term fixes might be ten years or more away.

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The short-term goal, for me, is to cut the dependency (weakness) on foreign oil supplies and suppliers. Let the middle-east eat sand, let Chavez choke on his refineries, and stop enabling dictators in Africa. Mexico is a future problem waiting to happen. We have no control on Canada, either, and they just might go socialist ala Chavez too.

If 65% of US oil consumption comes from foreign suppliers, it is impossible to 'cut the dependency'. Maybe in 25-50 years but not in the near term. Those you mention (excluding Canada) provide about 30% of US oil consumption and it will be years or decades before the US can reduce consumption by even 30%.

Once again, this is not about oil companies and it's not about those evil oil nations, it's about you and me and the rest who are living out of control.

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The long-term goal is a cleaner environment and technologies and fuels that could return the U.S. into a producing exporter.

I can't imagine how but time will tell...

wayers57 · 06-19-2008, 02:14 PM

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Originally Posted by gonzo

Hi there Wayers. May I ask what the 57 represents?

my age

gonzo · 06-19-2008, 02:17 PM

We're close in age then. *G*

OldManOnFire · 06-19-2008, 02:17 PM

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Originally Posted by wayers57

my age

Welcome to the PG boards and you'll need good luck...

Kanadesaga · 06-19-2008, 02:59 PM

This was post #2 in this thread.

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Originally Posted by Kanadesaga

because the whores in Washington let them charge that much.

In light of the "Enron Loophole" that has allowed unregulated speculation in the energy sector, I think I have been vindicated. My response was the correct one.

if it weren't for that gas would be around $2.20 a gal.

xav8terx · 06-19-2008, 04:14 PM

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Originally Posted by OldManOnFire

The entry costs to bring in alternatives to gasoline are huge!

Not only this, but there's no infrastructure in place to distribute whatever it is unless it can go into the same tanks as gasoline.

Honda coming out with a hydrogen car on a lease program for $600/month but where does one buy hydrogen?

Bio-fuels are not available in most areas.

For electric cars wishing to make longer trips where do they plug in?

You can buy very small electric vehicles today but where can you drive them--on the road with 18-wheelers and SUV's moving 75mph?

Who can possibly fathom the infrastructure redesigns that are necessary and where will the money come from??

I can fathom them if my son's future is on the line. I dont give a rats ass where the money is coming from...how about the tax we are paying on it for starters. It sure as shit isnt helping the roads around here.

There are rest stops on every major US highway...is it to much to put some recharge ports (not exactly sure what they are called) in some of them?

So should we just throw our hands up and give in? No one ever said moving from our dependence on fossil fuels was going to be easy or happen overnight. It takes work and dedication, but it can be done.

I doubt that the QT's that are on almost every block in my city happened overnight...seems like it but in reality it didnt. The pipelines were not there until they were installed...do we have a one pipeline contract or something...again seems like it but i'm not allowed in those closed door meeting between the government who "doesn't" control oil and the oil companies who are really just looking out for the "American people" (kind of a weird nickname for a wallet but whatever).

Every thing you have listed is just excuses plain and simple. We have enough of that from this failed administration, lets try some answers for a change.

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