That young lady is no candidate for Mensa. She's obviously watched too many Michael Moore movies.

Cheers, Neil

Not to pile on the girl in the story, but it is apparent she dropped out of school and thus makes minimum wage - and as it so often is with minimum wage earners, it is somehow everyone else's fault that she doesn't earn more money. And when prices increase "they" should increase minimum wage too, where in her mind "they" are the same ones who "control" gas prices.

Try to explain that the person making the money on the oil is the person who bought the oil futures contract on NYMEX at $80 a barrel, and sold it at $120 on the contract delivery date. He won in the speculative market since the contract is for 1000 barrels. When people can't afford gas they are not interested in logic. They just want to be angry and search for someone or some entity to blame.

I am more disappointed in the newspaper staff (although not surprised).

Want an interesting comparison between oil company profits and rise in Gov't taxes on gas?

www.taxfoundation.org/blog/show/1140.html

With an average of .08 cents per gallon in profits vs the avg of .38 cents per gallon in taxes, where is the room for cutting costs greatest? Neither will significantly reduce the overall cost. As you point out well, the free market, production, exploration (new reserves being found and tapped), refining capacity and other factors have a far greater impact. Remember in the early 80s when one of the primary reasons for not tapping ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) was that it would take 10 years or more to see relief in pricing at the pumps. Almost 30 years later and we're still having the same discussion. No new refineries, no new nuclear plants and all the talk of conservation. That's great, lets conserve, but lets do something that will help a little more than cancelling our trip to Grandma's for this holiday weekend. Lets build refining capability, a few new nuke plants and tap every source available in the meantime. That would produce some relief for this young lady and the rest of us. We might even see fuel surcharges go away on our cruises! Woooohoooo!

Cheers, Neil

quote:

Want an interesting comparison between oil company profits and rise in Gov't taxes on gas?

Unless my eyes need checking, it appears that most of that chart is covered in dark blue for tax revenue.

Well if you look at the chart, I can remember the Gas prices being alot lower when profits were lower.. look at the curve.

Also I do not mind the Trooper, CHP, of whoever pulling everyone over and checking then during the Holidays. Lets face it that is when the death rate is the highest. If they find other reasons to issue a ticket so be it.

$4.15 for the cheap stuff today. I did find a good deal at an out of the way station....$4.05. I hope no one uses that back road....

quote:

Well if you look at the chart, I can remember the Gas prices being alot lower when profits were lower.. look at the curve.

Right. What is so profound about that? The fact is that the tax revenues still trounce profits.

As for gas prices today not necessarily following the barrel price...most refineries are converting more of each barrel for distillates instead of gasoline since gasoline is not a profit maker for the refineries.

How bad is the refinery shortage in the U.S.? Because of environmental wackos and the NIMBY's, we actually import gasoline from other countries. Yes. Tankers full of refined gasoline come to the U.S. which adds to the fuel cost.

quote:

Also I do not mind the Trooper, CHP, of whoever pulling everyone over and checking then during the Holidays.

Why stop at holidays then? Let's do it every day. This is the slippery slope.

Pulling "everyone" over? Man, that is scary. "Let me see your papers..."

I've heard the argument, If you don't have anything to hide, why do you care if they pull you over? Why do you mind if they search your car? Your home? Do a background check? Check your computer files?

Last time I checked we still had a Bill of Rights and other constitututional protections written by men far wiser than I. The forth reads like this...

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

I'm kinda old fashioned. I still think this should not be violated. Even if there may be dangers on our highways like drunk drivers or people without seatbelts or insurance cards. Guess I should get with the times and support things that are done with good intentions even if they help deteriorate our rights?

Cheers, Neil

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and support things that are done with good intentions

My favorite is "if this will save one life, then it is worth it". Sorry folks, but liberty doesn't come without a price. We could lock everyone in their homes and take away their kitchen knives and car keys, and it would definitely save "one life". Should we do it?

And....back to the topic at hand.

The price of 87 octane in Athens, Alabama, today is $3.72 at the Murphy's at Wal-Mart!

I've been working from home for several months now and can't remember the last time I filled up my truck. It's great, when I was driving to the office it was costing about $70. a week and that was before all these increases. Instead of filling up once a week I may have to fill up once every 6 weeks. I recommend the change to going home based if you ever have the oppt'y.

Cheers, Neil

I still prefer getting all the gasoline I want at market prices as opposed to a government intervention - which would lead to shortages and rationing.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Beers:

quote:

Well if you look at the chart, I can remember the Gas prices being alot lower when profits were lower.. look at the curve.

Right. What is so profound about that? The fact is that the tax revenues still trounce profits.

As for gas prices today not necessarily following the barrel price...most refineries are converting more of each barrel for distillates instead of gasoline since gasoline is not a profit maker for the refineries.

How bad is the refinery shortage in the U.S.? Because of environmental wackos and the NIMBY's, we actually import gasoline from other countries. Yes. Tankers full of refined gasoline come to the U.S. which adds to the fuel cost.

Yes our Government gets the Lion's share according to the chart (when ended in 2003-2004)
It looks like Government profits have remained the same for 10 years. Look at the oil companies, $40 billion+ a year when the chart ended. How they are making that much a quarter!!!!
I will agree we need to use our own oil, things are out of whack there.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Beers:

quote:

Also I do not mind the Trooper, CHP, of whoever pulling everyone over and checking then during the Holidays.

Why stop at holidays then? Let's do it every day. This is the slippery slope.

Pulling "everyone" over? Man, that is scary. "Let me see your papers..."

I wish they would ask for papers also, they might solve another problem.

quote:

I wish they would ask for papers also, they might solve another problem.

On that one, I'll wholeheartedly agree!

Well, I put another $50 of 93 octane in the Trans Am again today and burned it all up cruising around Birmingham trying to do my part to increase greenhouse gases. Life is good.

Well they have kicked into high gear today. I guess with the lack of tourist in town they did not make enough profit... . Today they raised it to $4.29 . I thought prices usually dropped a few cents after a Holiday weekend

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I thought prices usually dropped a few cents after a Holiday weekend Confused

Not when the oil futures hit a new record last week.

Price of a barrel dropped a few buck. Does that mean the price will go down Don't think so.