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Why are gasoline prices high (over $3.00 a gallon and climbing)? Is it because of high crude oil prices? Is it due to demand exceeding supply? These are the two common excuses given by the oil companies. They like to blame everyone, and anything, but their own greed. In the 1970's, the oil companies manufactured the supposed oil shortage, so they could promote high gas prices. At a time when the quarterly profits of the major oil companies are the highest ever recorded, (As of 4/18/2006- Chevron reports profits of $9,000,000,000.00)their excuses smell like the pile of stinking bull manure that they are. Yes, it's true crude prices are way up, and the oil companies can't meet the demand for gas no matter how high the prices are; but, it's more due to their manipulation of the fuel market than any of the excuses they feed us.
Consider the supply and demand excuse. Who hasn't built a new oil refinery in the U. S. since the 1970's, more than 30 years ago? The major oil companies, that's who! Are we to believe, that they are so shortsighted they didn't realize a growing population would increase consumption of oil based products? Or, was it a calculated plan to drive up the price of gas, diesel, and home heating fuel? Every winter we get the same excuse that the price of heating fuel and gasoline has to rise because of supply & demand.
What about their other excuse, high gas, &fuel prices are due to high crude prices? Consider just how much American crude is being sold on the international market, instead of being refined for U. S. consumption. Wasn't the Alaska pipe line supposed to cure our oil problems by reducing our dependency on foreign oil? That's what they fed us to get the pipe line built. If you tour Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and several other states, you will see oil well after oil well capped and unproductive. The oil companies say it is because the wells produce heavy crude, which can't be refined in present day refineries. Perish the thought that at least one of them would have built a heavy crude refinery. No, why go to the expense when they can manipulate the market to rape the American consumer with manufactured high gas and heating fuel prices.
One might ask, Why isn't the Government doing anything about high gas prices? That is a very good question, with two answers. The primary answer is the oil lobby. A very effective group when it comes to getting the Government to do what the oil companies want. If you don't think so, just consider some of the suggested cures by our? elected representatives. The President wants to open the Alaska wilderness area for oil exploration (you can read that as higher profits for the oil companies.) Other politicians want to give the oil companies taxpayer money in the form of exploration grants to search for off-shore oil deposits, which of course when found, will be processed and sold back to the very people who financed the exploration. Other politicos want to cancel the moratorium on well drilling in several off-shore oil fields and extend the three mile territorial waters limit of the U. S. All of these are nothing more than sweetheart deals for the oil companies. They are designed not to help the consumer suffering under high gas, & fuel, prices; but, they will increase the profits of the oil companies dramatically. The politicians tell us that these will help in the future; but they offer no short term cures.
As you might have guessed, the second reason that the Government is not doing anything about high gas, & fuel, prices, is the politicians themselves. We have a President, who is a resident & former Governor of, Texas - a large oil State. We have a very large number of politicians, who hold stock in the oil companies through family members and dummy corporations. Where do you think their interests are? Today's politicians, even though they would never admit it, consider the average voter to be a silly, dumb,
What the politicians should do in the short term to relieve high gas, & fuel, prices at the pump, is release the billions of gallons held in the strategic oil reserves; temporarily significantly reduce, or suspend, the 18.5 cents federal excise gas tax; permanently ban the export of all American crude oil and its products; enact price controls of all crude oil products, including, but not limited to, gas, diesel, heating oil, aviation fuels; enact a oil production profit tax of at least 40% on corporations and 28% on individuals; significantly reduce or eliminate all aid, monetary and otherwise, to all oil producing countries charging these outrageous crude oil prices; and enact severe export tariffs on goods being purchased in this country by the oil cartel Nations. For a longer term solution, the Government should encourage exploration and refinery building through tax breaks for the companies that participate. Under no circumstances should our tax dollars be handed over to the oil companies to help them increase the supply of a product they will then sell back to us.
The high price of gas, & other fuel, affects all of us. The price of 99.9% of all goods & services we purchase is dependent on the price of fuel. As fuel prices rise so do these prices. The higher fuel and heating costs, especially impact those on fixed incomes, like Social Security, and those at, or below, the Federal Poverty Income level. Maybe high gas prices are the cure for the Federal Budget woes. If we on fixed incomes start dying off early, because we can't afford proper diets and medical care, that sure would help with the supposed Social Security short fall. If those at, or below, the poverty income level were to start dying off, that would alleviate some of the budget woes caused by providing free programs. I guess there is that proverbial silver lining in any situation.
High gas, & fuel, prices are not going to fix themselves. We will never be allowed to return to what we were paying at the pump 3 years ago. The price will eventually come down; but will be manipulated to keep the record profits going for the oil companies. That is unless the silly, dumb,
If you are tired of high gas prices and tired of being treated as a silly, dumb
It is well past the time for all of us
to stop feeling powerless. Remember the Politicians only get away with what we let them. If they want big Oil's money, then help them to go to work for Big Oil by giving them the boot. If possible, start a recall campaign in your area, or when they come up for re-election, plant your hooves in their butts and kick them out of office. Stop being a patsy for every Lobby group in Washington!
As an added note, as of 9/01/2005,the President is calling upon all Americans to donate money, & goods, to help the survivors of hurricane Katrina. Foreign Governments are offering aid. People from other Countries are making donations.The American Oil Companies' response; raise the price of fuel, & gasoline, which increases the costs for all the organizations providing disaster relief. More money for costs translates to less money to aid the survivors. Hey, can't let profits dip just because there is less fuel to sell! Obviously, our Government must approve since they are sitting on their thumbs not doing anything to curtail Big Oil's greed. More than likely, in the coming months, we will see Big Oil with their hands out looking for grants to help them repair hurricane damage. Of course, we can expect their buddies in Washington to fork over whatever they ask for. Isn't there anyone else out there as disgusted as I am?
If you would care to place a link on your page to
High Gas Prices,
I have several banners you can use at
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Within the next week, 08/20 to 08/27/2005, I will be developing a reciprocal linking page, for anyone who wishes to exchange banners. Leave your info in the Forum & I'll get back to you.
High Gas Prices
page updated 08/18/2005.
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