I'm seriously frustrated with people who think that we have or should control the prices of oil. Our economy is capalist, in other words free market. The government really has no right nor responsibilty to control oil prices. I have written a short essay about oil prices. It has to do with OPEC mostly..and quotas. If I can find it I can post it up. Yes rising oil prices aren't good from a consumer's standpoint, and at times from a business standpoint (Raised production costs, they have to raise prices, driving away potential buyers).

 

What we really need to do is start investing on alternative fuels and setting up a distribution network for it. Get a natural gas network started up, so you can fill up as many places with it as you can gas. You can get natural gas from the mountains around here, so you don't need to worry about depending on some foreign country for oil who has residents that would get a huge grin on their face seeing this country wiped off the face of the earth.

In response to the above post, the thing that gets me is that the government (due to the current Bush administration) has given gas companies like Citgo, Conoco (these are seen more out west), BP, and Exxon huge government funds for "security" reasons or whatever. I wouldn't have a huge complaint about these $8 million dollar grants given out to the gas companies, EXCEPT EACH GAS COMPANY HAS MADE AT LEAST $20 MILLION DOLLARS IN NET PROFIT THIS YEAR BEFORE THE GRANTS .

 

Gas is like every other type of product in the sense that the law of supply and demand controls the price. Now this is all well and good, until we as people are born into a society that demands oil, and there are external factors that influence the supply, demand, etc. Everyone needs oil, regardless. You all know why, there's no need for explanation. But now since we need oil, and we as americans don't have the access comparitively speaking to say the middle east, our demand is going to stay the same generally speaking. We all need gas to put in our cars to drive to work everyday, etc etc etc. Now in the past few years, there have been a few hydro electric type cars, but even they use gas, albeit a small amount in comparison to a normal, gas powered vehicle. Even though they consume much less gas, Sport Utility Vehicles consume more. And due to the rising popularity of these "gas-guzzlers", it keeps Americas demand on gasolene the same (give or take). Now, since the demand is staying the same, or at least not radically fluctating, then the supply must be the independant factor in the price rise. It's obvious to most that theoretically, since the demand stays the same, the supply must be lower. This is infact wrong. Here's why..OPEC(Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) collectively sets the amount of oil that will be produced and exported. Each individual country has a quota, a specific amount that they [contractually?] cannot go [above?] or [below]? They do this so that they can proportionally export a fair amount of oil, while "conserving" it, and not under cut each other in the process. The problem with this is that there isn't any way to police the actual amount of oil that each given country is producing. When OPEC announces that they are cutting the supply, oil/gasolene companies are very quick to raise the prices. Since they are also a supplier(to "retail" gas stations), they can always lower the prices back down to compete with each other. Back to OPEC. When OPEC makes it's announcement, it's "understandable" that gas prices might raise. However, since there's no one enforcing the quota's each country sets, the countries are producing more oil than they are suppose to. But since "Opec is cutting supply", the gas prices are up...even though the supply is really the same, and the demand is really the same as well. See, companies such as Mobil and Exxon own oil rigs/drilling equiptment etc in oil abundant countries, but they are still subjected to the federal laws in that country. All the while, since no one on an international level is policiing this (Bush owns stock in texaco, why would he bust his own people), the supply is artificially lowered, which explains the raising gas prices, which makes it theft from the american consumer who NEEDS gasolene to survive.



Some of those points are borderline opinion..but it was refuting the notion that bush is responsible for the raising gas prices.

 

Bush is responsible for oil prices by letting OPEC monopolize the oil market. The Saudis and there counter parts could easily up the supply to set things back to normal prices, however I believe they are intentionally decreasing output as a sort of payback on the western civilizations. The problem is that in doing so they also fucked the rest of the world and some of their muslim brothers which is why you've lately seen this shift in reasoning and increase in oil production.

This administration has heavy ties with the Saudis and supplies them with many resources that help keep their country operational. The administration should threaten a unilateral embargo on US products and manpower unless they unfuck the economy.

 

I get gas for free

 

Somebody is paying for it...nothing (especially gas) is free.

 

What do you do? Fill up at the FedEx, UPS, or other massive fleet gas depot that a relative of yours (or urself) holds a high position in?

 

woodbridge has had hi test for 1.899 for about a week now. its always cheap here compared to other places.

 

You realize fossil fuels can't last forever on this planet.

 

Here's where you are wrong, that isn't our government's responsibility..Have you read the Constitution lately? Bush shouldn't control anything price wise..Are you familiar with Russia's economy? The government controls prices there..That's why certain things are god awfully expensive. A free market economy is "laaize faire" or hands off. That's the way our government was founded and that's the way it should stay. And if you think it should change, then I say we take away your right to free speech..or to practice religion..or to vote.