Are you Fed Up with high fuel prices!

[clevalley]

We can try and put the screws to OPEC all we want, but the fact of the matter is, we're not the big kid on the block anymore. China is. Which is one of the reasons the price is going through the roof. They could stop selling oil to the US and still be in fine shape with the demand throughout the rest of the world being so high. Not to mention that with the dollar's value being so low, and since oil prices are based on the US dollar, oil prices are a deal for much of the world (except for us).

If we pulled out our presence and Saudi was left unprotected, I would bet the situation would change... but it would mean an unconditional withdraw from Iraq (me, personally I am not in favor of but that is another issue).

Forgot to add - you are 110% right about the US dollar, that is another part of the equation and an issue we must tackle head-on.

Oil companies aren't making the money that they are making because the price is so high, they are making money due to the sheer volume that is being sold.

Yes and no - it is our US based oil companies posting these huge profits, not a global oil company. They are making money off of both volume and high price.

$4 Billion dollars in one quarter (profit mind you - not gross) equals out to ~$1500 per second ... those stats are hard to ignore.

 

[Toxick]

I read that the other day, when adjusted for inflation gas was actually more expensive in 1980.

Adjusted for inflation I make more money now than my both parents combined in 1980.

However, I seem to remember that neither one of them had trouble keeping their tanks full.





On the other hand, my mortgage is 3 times more than theirs was and I have one more kid than they did, so maybe that has something to do with it.

 

[jetmonkey]

Why gas in the U.S. is so cheap - May. 1, 2008

 

[jetmonkey]

gas prices

 

[Pete]

I would have, but I'm in heels and I travel down Great Mills Road and well, you know...

You might be able to make a little extra pocket money

 

[Pete]

We could all stand to rip a page from the Pete handbook of awesomeness!!!

Well I didn't walk the whole way, only from Precision Tune where I dropped off my gas hog for an oil change.

 

[Christy]

If we pulled out our presence and Saudi was left unprotected, I would bet the situation would change...

You don't think China or Russia would be more than happy to take our place over there?

 

[thurley42]

Our goverment has failed the American people with sky high fuel prices, food cost, utilitys, etc. Now it's time for the people of America to act by taking off 2 weeks from work and not spending doing the Memorial Day weekend 2008 this will rattle the cage if Americans stop working and not spend for 2 weeks.

Gas prices suck, but compared to the rest of the world, i'm content....I won't be working the week of Memorial Day, 2 golf tourneys and a baseball road trip from Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore will have me on the roads from Thursday until Monday....

 

[clevalley]

My .02 on this...

You don't think China or Russia would be more than happy to take our place over there?

Not at all... have they ever stuck their necks out in any global defense in the last 50 years? nope...

Russia is in NO shape for any type of military support, they cannot even support themselves.

China - maybe, but I honestly think no... they will pay the price of the oil because the country can afford to do so and they will subsidies their citizens through the mechanisms of the government makeup (communistic government)...

We do it (stick our necks out) to show our presence and dominance in the world, and right now it is not working for the US except to bleed off money we cannot afford. At the same time, other countries sit back and keep the majority of their economy and government internals internally... other countries have sucked off of the US's tit and gotten use to it. I bet if we pulled the tit back the US's economy would strengthen really quick.

 

[Pete]

True - but still isn't the profit after all this?

No, profit is only money left over after expenses are paid for the last quarter. Every company has to predict and reinvest for future operations.

Also, I thought our consumption dropped - pump prices were on a downswing a few months ago; analyst were predicting in the low $2.10 at the pump. I'll be damn if not the next day after this was said the price of crude and pump prices "mysteriously" jumped over night and has been climbing since.

Oil is a commodity traded (basically and auction) on an exchange. It has no rhyme or reason. We shoot at an Iranian boat getting to close to a battle group and the price for a barrel goes up $3. Trading commodities is influenced by emotion and fear.

We definitely have one hell of a presence in Saudi defending them from their neighbors - and "sell" them weapons and military items... if you want to say "sell" it to them. I would bet if we pulled out of Saudi that threat alone would have them turn their attention our way. Who would go in and protect them - the Chinese? No way...

If we left it would create instability in the worlds major suppliers which would drive prices up. We know being traded as a commodity the price is heavily influenced by fear, emotion based on world events. If there was instability the price would skyrocket.

I know, pulling out of Saudi means a pull-out of Kuwait, Quatar, Iraq and that is a totally different argument...

If you add up all the OPEC countries, it is more that Canada right? I know Canada is around 17% - but we get at least 12% from Saudi alone... throw in Iraq and Kuwait and we are right there...

Canada is not part of OPEC - so why not rock the neighbors a bit? Is their prices reflected in the $110+ barrel price? (Just curious)

Crude Oil and Total Petroleum Imports Top 15 Countries

You have to remember there are a bunch of countries and their oil companies bidding on crude oil, if we stop buying or pressure someone on prices there are 5 entities lined up behind us to buy what we wont. Many countries oil is nationalized so we are not competing against just companies but national oil companies.

We get almost as much from Mexico (15%) - why not build a fence, send the illegals back and jam NAFTA up their azz... If not, they can slash prices to house and "support" our neighbors who cannot support themselves... but that will never happen. Who will help them - the Chinese?

You can bet your ass China would. When Carter gave back the Panama canal who swooped in and bought everything in the Canal Zone they could? Basically we gave the Canal and the Zone back to Panama for free, they in turn turned around and sold it to the Chinese before we were even moved out. We got squat, Panama got billions and China got a canal a shorter sea route, and all the oil storage facilities.

33 average (city and commuting) -> only one riding right now until she comes back to the government, then it will be two of us! I really try to do my part...

Good I have a guzzler that gets about 15 commuting to/from work but I ride my motorcycle most of the time which gets 37.

 

[Pete]

Not at all... have they ever stuck their necks out in any global defense in the last 50 years? nope...

Russia is in NO shape for any type of military support, they cannot even support themselves.

China - maybe, but I honestly think no... they will pay the price of the oil because the country can afford to do so and they will subsidies their citizens through the mechanisms of the government makeup (communistic government)...

We do it (stick our necks out) to show our presence and dominance in the world, and right now it is not working for the US except to bleed off money we cannot afford. At the same time, other countries sit back and keep the majority of their economy and government internals internally... other countries have sucked off of the US's tit and gotten use to it. I bet if we pulled the tit back the US's economy would strengthen really quick.

We stick our neck out because we are hooked on oil like crack.

 

[awpitt]

The government doesn't buy, sell, process, refine, transport, explore for or set the price of oil. How have they failed us? I know, they failed to engineer a society where cars are all small and get 40mpg and we are obligated by law to like them.

Guess what, even if they raise CAFE standards and take all the SUV's and sink them in the ocean to make an artificial reef, the price of gas would still be $3.49.9 at Wawa.

If everyone tok their 2 weeks off and didn't buy anything the economy would surely reflect that and then you would blame Bush and the GOP. Instead of helping you would simply make things worse.

The govt is involved to an extent. Look at the Exxon/Mobile merger. The govt barely held a hearing and rubber stamped it. Yet the Sat Radio merger proposal is stretching into its second year. There's no favorable treatment of the oil companies.

 

[clevalley]

No, profit is only money left over after expenses are paid for the last quarter. Every company has to predict and reinvest for future operations.


Oil is a commodity traded (basically and auction) on an exchange. It has no rhyme or reason. We shoot at an Iranian boat getting to close to a battle group and the price for a barrel goes up $3. Trading commodities is influenced by emotion and fear.


If we left it would create instability in the worlds major suppliers which would drive prices up. We know being traded as a commodity the price is heavily influenced by fear, emotion based on world events. If there was instability the price would skyrocket.



Crude Oil and Total Petroleum Imports Top 15 Countries

You have to remember there are a bunch of countries and their oil companies bidding on crude oil, if we stop buying or pressure someone on prices there are 5 entities lined up behind us to buy what we wont. Many countries oil is nationalized so we are not competing against just companies but national oil companies.

This is why I like listening to you! I get a different understanding on things!

You can bet your ass China would. When Carter gave back the Panama canal who swooped in and bought everything in the Canal Zone they could? Basically we gave the Canal and the Zone back to Panama for free, they in turn turned around and sold it to the Chinese before we were even moved out. We got squat, Panama got billions and China got a canal a shorter sea route, and all the oil storage facilities.

I don't know if they would put their military out there... just a personal opinion. I know China would sell their mother in a whore house to make a buck - but I would be surprised if they made a military move to defend another country, even for a stake in oil... I think they would shell out the yen instead.

Good I have a guzzler that gets about 15 commuting to/from work but I ride my motorcycle most of the time which gets 37.

Now, I did not tell you that I really do ##### when I drive the HD2500 with the camper on the back! That thing even sucks the fuel even without the camper attached... a good reason why it only has 7K miles in 19 months!

 

[kwillia]

The increase in fuel prices affects more than just what you put in your tank. We've yet to complete the "correction" period... where actual cost of goods is adjusted to compensate the actual cost of shipping/supplying the goods is rolled back to the consumer. Until that's done, we don't really know how far our current paycheck will go to cover our everyday expenses.

 

[Pete]

The govt is involved to an extent. Look at the Exxon/Mobile merger. The govt barely held a hearing and rubber stamped it. Yet the Sat Radio merger proposal is stretching into its second year. There's no favorable treatment of the oil companies.

Of course they get favorable treatment. What has more of an impact on everyday Americans and the economy, oil which is used for gasoline, fuel oil, diesel fuel, vynil siding, the plastic in the keyboard you are typing on, transportation of goods, electricity generation, the foam rubber in your office chair, the plastic wrap on the rib eye you are going to grill tonight, the propane used to grill the steak; Or the company that allows you to listen to 80's music all day without interruption?

 

[thurley42]

Not at all... have they ever stuck their necks out in any global defense in the last 50 years? nope...

Russia is in NO shape for any type of military support, they cannot even support themselves.

The way I read that was they wouldn't be doing any global support they'd come in and take what they would need.

Granted they aren't as strong as they were twenty years ago, but realize they are growing and regaining strength...and they are starting to show it, by doing airspace busts, bomber flights, and other forms of what could basically be looked at as acts of definace shown by a teenager.

I'm not as concerned with Russia in the Middle East and I am in the arctic stores. They have already said they feel it is Russian land and hence Russian oil fields, I think the sheer fact that it is a source of oil that comes without the hassle that comes with the Middle East will make persued all that more fierce.

 

[clevalley]

The increase in fuel prices affects more than just what you put in your tank. We've yet to complete the "correction" period... where actual cost of goods is adjusted to compensate the actual cost of shipping/supplying the goods is rolled back to the consumer. Until that's done, we don't really know how far our current paycheck will go to cover our everyday expenses.

Congress was grilling the grocery execs the other day on the hill - you would think it would be a no-brainer as to why the prices are going up.

Instead of solving problems, they ask stupid ass questions and do not tackle the problem at hand...

It can be solved.

 

[thurley42]

Congress was grilling the grocery execs the other day on the hill - you would think it would be a no-brainer as to why the prices are going up.

Instead of solving problems, they ask stupid ass questions and do not tackle the problem at hand...

It can be solved.

well if they asked the right questions, then they would be exposed when the right answers came to light...then the problems would have to be solved, and there is no money in solving problems!

Plus, when it came time to get re-elected, if they solved the problems, what would they tell everyone they were going to do their upcoming term?

 

[Pete]

Congress was grilling the grocery execs the other day on the hill - you would think it would be a no-brainer as to why the prices are going up.

Instead of solving problems, they ask stupid ass questions and do not tackle the problem at hand...

It can be solved.

See while I don't like paying $3.50 a gallon I believe it is what it is and there is nothing we can really do about it. Short of finding out that the continents float on a vast quadrillion pool of oil and the earths core regenerates oil as we use it, the price of oil will never decrease.

Part of our problem is our American paradigm. We have enjoyed cheap gas for eons compared to everyone else, except the middle eastern countries of course. That what causes us pain right now has long been a way of life for others.

 

[bcp]

...we all start walking to the East at the same time and build up speed, we can reverse the Earth's rotation and turn back time! Then, when we get back far enough, we can stop and build fuel tanks in our basements and buy a whole bunch of cheap gas and then let the earth resume it's normal rotation!

you smoke dope dont you.