Gas Prices JUMPED $.08 in 24 Hours
- Thread starter PoolSleuth
- Start date
I agree with scott, please don't insult our intelligence and start crying a river for the oil companies that have been gouging us.
I guess we will all agree to disagree. I was in the industry in the late 90's when the gas prices fell through the floor, I was laid off because the company couldn't afford to keep us on payroll. At that time I had 2 degrees and 10 years of experience. This is a cyclical industry, unlike most others, and right now, and for the next 2-4 years, we are expected to be at the peak of a cycle.
I assume that you want to assure that the price of oil or gas should be "capped" to limit the amount of profit one company can have. Who sets the cap? What should it be set at? I don't think the companies conspire to jack the prices up, but I'm sure you do.
The price of gas hurts my pocketbook too, but I really don't see, on average, anyone changing their lifestyles because of the price at the pump, not yet, anyway.
Supply and demand will get hold of the market.
You're probably the same guys who hate the fact that Walmart runs small businesses out of business, but go back over and over because they have the lowest prices. You can't have it both ways.
Just FYI, most of the oil refined here for consumption comes from overseas because the crude oils produced here are too high in sulfur content to be refined cheaply enough to meet environmental regulations.
I assume that you want to assure that the price of oil or gas should be "capped" to limit the amount of profit one company can have. Who sets the cap? What should it be set at? I don't think the companies conspire to jack the prices up, but I'm sure you do.
The price of gas hurts my pocketbook too, but I really don't see, on average, anyone changing their lifestyles because of the price at the pump, not yet, anyway.
Supply and demand will get hold of the market.
You're probably the same guys who hate the fact that Walmart runs small businesses out of business, but go back over and over because they have the lowest prices. You can't have it both ways.
Just FYI, most of the oil refined here for consumption comes from overseas because the crude oils produced here are too high in sulfur content to be refined cheaply enough to meet environmental regulations.
Common bumper stickers here in Alberta read:
Lord please give me another Boom I promise not to piss it away like the last one.
People that work for oil companies (at least here) make a lot of money. They also spend it faster than it's comming in. Nobody has job security in these times, why should people in the oil industry expect any different.
My comments were directed at the oil companies though, not the employees. Please don't cry me a river for them. they've always been able to make a profit.
As for the cycle, I'm sorry, but this cycle is more like the cycle of fruit flies in a jar. we will never see cheap gas again.
Lord please give me another Boom I promise not to piss it away like the last one.
People that work for oil companies (at least here) make a lot of money. They also spend it faster than it's comming in. Nobody has job security in these times, why should people in the oil industry expect any different.
My comments were directed at the oil companies though, not the employees. Please don't cry me a river for them. they've always been able to make a profit.
As for the cycle, I'm sorry, but this cycle is more like the cycle of fruit flies in a jar. we will never see cheap gas again.
supergreenman said:
Which is exactly the reason they are still around. Companies who make profits stay in business. Those that don't, are no longer operating.
Remember Eastern Airlines???
Profit is not a 4 letter word. It is the basis for everything this country stands for. Every person in this country is free to go into any business they want, and make as much money as they can. If they do it right, they make a lot of money. If they don't, they go broke. I heard this same arguement many years ago when gas hit $1.00 per gallon, and again when it hit $2.00 per gallon.
Anyone who thinks they can do it better and cheaper should start their own oil company. It might take a huge initial start-up investment, a lot of hard work, and a long time to get as big as some. But that is how they got where they are today. They were willing to invest the capital, take the chance, and build up a huge business.
We all have at least 3 options. Do what they did and give them some competition. Change our lifestyle so we can purchase less of their product. Wait for the government to tell them they are too good at what they do, it isn't fair that they make so much money, and take it away from them. Just remember, if you choose number 3, they can do it to ANY business in the country in the future.
Profit is the motivating factor in every business. Force a business to limit profits, and you encourage them to close.
Suppose your boss told you that you are making too much money...you have too much left over after you pay for your house, car, food and utilities, so you are going to have to take a pay cut. How motivated would you be to continue working as hard as you do today?
Steve
Snapshot9 said:
That was his retirement package that was originally signed in his innitial contract 12 years ago. He fufilled his contract and now it's time for the company to pay up.
What if you worked on the assembly line at a GM plant and they decided to take your retirement package away? You'd be up in arms. All men are created equal I thought. Unless your rich then your evil.
Also the profit margin that the oil company has is nothing compared to the profit margin that the government makes. Let's see. They don't look for oil to drill. They don't drill for oil. All they do is point a gun at the company and say "Give us $.50 per gallon". Where are those investigations?
Oh yeah. It's government. It's ok to do it because the oil companies are rich and everyone else is not so lets screw the oil companies over. Yay Communism. Here we come full speed ahead.
smittie1984 said:
You make it sound as though we get nothing in return for those fifty cents. I like having paved roads, myself.
Of course we could let private industry take care of that and only have to pay twice as much. I guess since we would spend that dollar by our own choice, its okay to not get as good a deal.
Taxes allow a population to save by buying in bulk. If tyhe right things are paid for with tax dollars, individuals save money, even if the money they do spend is spent via the government.
Libertarian prapaganda is just as misleading as Republican propaganda and Democrat propaganda. They are all based on half truths.
PoolSleuth said:Can not believe this CRAP is Happening again just befor Vacation Season. $287.9/Gal for Regular is NUTS.....
All of these mean old and very rich oil tycoons have one thing in common - they are all college graduates. And most likely from top schools. Something to strive for maybe?
But if you have $75K in a simple money market which was earning 1% last year giving you $62 a month in dividends that same money is now earning 4% which gives you $250 a month in dividends. Enough to pay for the gas.
And if you have mutual funds that earn 10% then the price of gas shouldn't bother you.
Oh, you can't afford to save because you are paying $5 for a pack of cigarettes?
Jake
This would be true IF the government operated in an efficient manner. Governments aren't usually interested in cost savings. (they tell you they are, but actions speak louder than words) In most cases, private business is much more cost effective than anything the government does.Chris said:
Steve
I didn't read all the posts on this thread but did anyone see the Nightly News the other night what gas is going for in other parts of the world? The Netherlands was the highest at around $7.84 a gallon. Venezula was the lowest at 12 cents followed by Iran at 35 cents.
Sam at TAP said:
That is up but I paid like $4.00 a gallon in Europe in the early 90's. It seems like gas here has never really been adjusting for inflation for years and the sudden raise has a shock value. I am not saying it should cost what they are charging just we have been a little spoiled by the lower prices. If it just crept up a few cents at a time like everything else we would not even be having this conversation. We are complaining about the price of gas as we think nothing about paying $4.50 for a bucket of popcorn that cost about 1 or 2 cents to the retailer.
We are kind of strange people in what our priorities are. Me, I have no problem cutting back on my driving or running my air. In fact I am probably spending less now on gas then I was a few months just because I am more aware of wasting gas. I combine trips or some I just don't take at all. People could do a lot to solve this by just being good Americans and on their own making themselves less dependent by conserving.
I bet in just one day we could cut usage by 25% if it became the American thing to do. I wouldn't count on it though because we are selfish and wasteful, that's our nature and it will never change. Most all our ill's are self induced. I have no children and it is just my wife and I so I don't really count because I am not an average household, but my last month electric bill was just around $60.00. We have made our house as energy efficient as we could and it is paying off and we sacrifice very little.
pooltchr said:
The natural gas market in Alberta has been regulated for decades and companies have never had a problem making a profit.
Anyways, all I said was don't ask me to feel sorry for oil companies when times are tough.
pooltchr said:
If you are implying there are some things that should not be paid with tax dollars, I agree completely.
I would also add, however, that there are some markets in which private profit plays only a parasitic role, driving up the costs for everyone.
Both capitalism and socialism have inherent strengths and weaknesses. Neither is superior in all scenarios.
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So you want the Government, with their armed soldiers, to take more money from me so that you won't have to pay for gas with your money.
The good thing about high gas is that now drive by shootings are at an all time low. One group ran out of gas before they reached their target.
Jake
The good thing about high gas is that now drive by shootings are at an all time low. One group ran out of gas before they reached their target.
Jake
Prices are high, but it could and probably will be a lot worse. How much does a 20 oz bottle of drinking water cost? $1.25? 1.25x6.4=8.00 a gallonPoolSleuth said:Can not believe this CRAP is Happening again just befor Vacation Season. $287.9/Gal for Regular is NUTS.....
I wondered what this thread had to do with pool too, until I saw a poster write about a car POOL.
Anybody remember that young guy that invented a gas add-on to the engine that got umpteen miles to the gallon and was killed? Or was that just a conspiracy theory?
Here is a little video to console the guys with the Hummers.
http://www.atomfilms.com/contentPlay/shockwave.jsp?id=cant_afford_gas&preplay
Anybody remember that young guy that invented a gas add-on to the engine that got umpteen miles to the gallon and was killed? Or was that just a conspiracy theory?
Here is a little video to console the guys with the Hummers.
http://www.atomfilms.com/contentPlay/shockwave.jsp?id=cant_afford_gas&preplay
I wonder...
How many people are standing in line to buy those solar powered cars? They cost about $30,000 but you have no gas to buy? They have limited range at night based on battery storage, and cant go over 35 mph. I was wondering why I dont see a big outrage that solar powered cars arent more available. How many have looked into it? It is SO much easier just to have a Cadillac and complain. Hmmm could it be we just want what we want when we want it. I remember the old MTV commercials..."I want my MTV"...
Today its "I want my SUV! "
How many of the posters have done something today to help the environment, to save gas, to make your vehicle or home more efficient. I know I havent.
How many people are standing in line to buy those solar powered cars? They cost about $30,000 but you have no gas to buy? They have limited range at night based on battery storage, and cant go over 35 mph. I was wondering why I dont see a big outrage that solar powered cars arent more available. How many have looked into it? It is SO much easier just to have a Cadillac and complain. Hmmm could it be we just want what we want when we want it. I remember the old MTV commercials..."I want my MTV"...
Today its "I want my SUV! "
How many of the posters have done something today to help the environment, to save gas, to make your vehicle or home more efficient. I know I havent.
Chris said:
Have you ever been on a Turnpike? Those are privatly owned roads. They are very nice.
I'm not stating that roads should be privately operated. But a single oil company can make a gross profit in excess of 30billion with an average profit margin of 8% or so. Yet the government doesn't have to look for the oil nor put any effort into refining and making it ready for the road. And makes more money off of it than the oil company. Where is excess profits from the government? Where are the investigations? Show Me The Money!!!! And it doesn't (Or shouldn't. You never know with government) cost us 30billion plus to upkeep our roads a year.
Also. How are those offshore oil rigs coming in Florida to help ease the gas crunch?
Yes buying in bulk can save money. But a private company is going to buy just enough equipment to do the work while the government is going to buy extra. Which costs more money. That was explained by Carl Marx.
I don't enjoy the gas prices either. But I'm not going to steal it from someone else. Wether it is from siphoning it out of a gas tank. Or wether it is through the barrel of a gun via the government.
PoolSleuth
Banned
Well today I went to Mexico for my Bi-monthly Trip. Most I pard for Gas was $2.999/GAL. That BEAT $3.899 that I paid LAST SEPTEMBER on Vacation in UTAH....