transitt Wrote:

TigeraldoRivera Wrote:[quote="transitt"]There is a special place in hell for oil company execs. Name me one other industry......ONE, where the prices could increase by 1/4 to 1/3 in 3-4 months and the government wouldn't step in. I also hold the Democrats responsible. You remember how many ran ads last fall saying that they were going after the oil companies? The must have forgotten those ads as soon as they got in office.

(note: I don't believe in government regulating industry. I do, however, believe in them protecting the American consumer when they are being raped)

I'll name you 4 other commodities where the price rose 25% in 3-4 months and the government didn't step in:
1. Copper
2. Titanium
3. Aluminum
4. Corn

Are the executives of companies that profit from these commodities evil too? It's called supply and demand. Unless you live in the woods without utilities, grow, hunt, or gather your own food, and make your own clothing from natural resources, YOU are part of the demand.

Quote:Do any of those four impact the economy of this country like the oil industry does? Did those industries turn record profits during those times?
Does it happen with those industries 5-6 times per year, each time with a different excuse?

Man, you keep claiming to "get it" but you just don't get it. There is no "EXCUSE", they are in business to make as much as they can, PERIOD.

Quote:It's more than supply and demand. It's more that refinery issues, OPEC, or anything else. THEY JACK UP THE PRICES BECAUSE THEY CAN. I understand that it's part of supply and demand. However, if you think there isn't some collusion occuring, then you are simply naive. They all have refinery problems at the same time? Like I said previously. In pretty much any other industry, at least ONE of the companies would take advantage of the gas hikes by NOT hiking the prices. That happens in almost every other industry. It never happens in the oil industry.

If you really think it is collusion, then you are the one that is naive. Apparently you are unaware of the reporting requirements of almost all major corporations that exist in the post-Enron economic world. There are so many checks and balances now that is a practical impossibility to outwit the auditors hired by your same company to independently monitor your actions. Your own major shareholders and every Wall Street analyst on the street are aware of your business trading practices. EVERY INDUSTRY charges as much as they can, while remaining competitive. If I were in, say, the travel business....I would be a responsible corporate citizen and a respected and admired steward of my shareholder's money if I monitored my competitors pricing on a daily/hourly basis and raised and/or lowered mine as necessary to give me as much of a profitable competitive advantage as possible. If my competitor decides to raise his prices by 50% you better believe I am going to see it immediately and raise mine by 49 1/2%. This is not collusion, this is smart business.

kpigout Wrote:

Chi-Town Wrote:

transitt Wrote:There is a special place in hell for oil company execs. Name me one other industry......ONE, where the prices could increase by 1/4 to 1/3 in 3-4 months and the government wouldn't step in. I also hold the Democrats responsible. You remember how many ran ads last fall saying that they were going after the oil companies? The must have forgotten those ads as soon as they got in office.

(note: I don't believe in government regulating industry. I do, however, believe in them protecting the American consumer when they are being raped)

Here we go again. Why does someone always have to place "blame" on the oil company executives? Why not blame the shareholders that push the executives? For that matter, why not just believe in the laws of supply and demand and quit talking about being "raped"?

I'll talk about getting raped bro. Screw the laws of supply and demand. That doesn't help my measly budget one damn bit. I'm about to get priced right out of my f#$%ing vacation.

I hear ya', and feel the pain....we're looking forward to your trip so I hope you guys can work it out. That doesn' change the reality though. They charge as much for gas as they can because they can. It sucks, but that does not mean that they don't have the right to do it. I bought three pairs of shorts over the weekend becuase mine keep shrinking in the waistline. I didn't want to spend that money, but I did because I needed some new shorts. If the shorts industry suddenly decided to jack up the price of shorts, I would have been forced to buy long pants and cut em' off or not wear shorts at all.

Ok, ya'll can call me naive, say I wear a tin foil hat, hear voices, or whatever. However, there ARE dishonest people in business. Companies like Enron and Tyco should be proof enough of that. Moreover, the oil companies are flat out hurting the economy of this country. They are hurting the consumer, the housing market, and every retail market. This isn't me making wild claims. These are facts.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con...00555.html


Unless something changes, it's not going to be about giving up vacation trips anymore. It's going to be about the choice between gas and food or clothing.

Would government regulation of gas prices be a good thing? Absolutely not. Would some pressure from lawmakers be nice? Absolutely. Will it happen? No.

I do predict that you'll be able to find GREAT deals on Yukons and H2's in the very near future.

Thursday morning: $2.79
Friday evening: $3.14

It's not simply "suppy and demand". The American consumer has no choice but to buy gas and there is no cheap Wal-Mart brand of gasoline out there to buy instead.

Example...if you don't like Captain Crunch because of the price, go buy the Malt-o-Meal equivalent. It tastes exactly the same.

Unfortunately there is no alternative like that to gasoline and unlike Captain Crunch, gas is a necessity to live in this society at the current time.

This has nothing to do about supply and demand because the demand will always be there as long as their is no wide-spread replacement that the average person can afford.

The government does need to step in and help regulate the industry somewhat.

Gasoline is necessary in our society to sustain our quality of life just like electricty is (and don't get me started about electric companies). Unlike food, you have no viable alternative gasolines and electricity like you do food and other goods.

SCConway Wrote:It's not simply "suppy and demand". The American consumer has no choice but to buy gas and there is no cheap Wal-Mart brand of gasoline out there to buy instead.

Example...if you don't like Captain Crunch because of the price, go buy the Malt-o-Meal equivalent. It tastes exactly the same.

Unfortunately there is no alternative like that to gasoline and unlike Captain Crunch, gas is a necessity to live in this society at the current time.

This has nothing to do about supply and demand because the demand will always be there as long as their is no wide-spread replacement that the average person can afford.

The government does need to step in and help regulate the industry somewhat.

Gasoline is necessary in our society to sustain our quality of life just like electricty is (and don't get me started about electric companies). Unlike food, you have no viable alternative gasolines and electricity like you do food and other goods.

no govt input! you're right about the capt crunch thing... and here's why...

At a time like this where everyone is complaining about gas prices, it makes researchers and engineers try harder to find an alternative to gasoline. Once that is done (which probably in the next few years will be), then the price of gas will go down and a new resource will be available. Its capitalism at its finest... harnesting man's sin nature (mainly talkin about greed here) and turning into a positive impact on our society.

people don't HAVE to have gas... there are scooters, bikes, and the classic foot that people CAN use.

Last saturday I paid 2.77, 2.89 Tuesday night, 3.01 today in Millington. Yikes!!

Memphisgangsta Wrote:

SCConway Wrote:It's not simply "suppy and demand". The American consumer has no choice but to buy gas and there is no cheap Wal-Mart brand of gasoline out there to buy instead.

Example...if you don't like Captain Crunch because of the price, go buy the Malt-o-Meal equivalent. It tastes exactly the same.

Unfortunately there is no alternative like that to gasoline and unlike Captain Crunch, gas is a necessity to live in this society at the current time.

This has nothing to do about supply and demand because the demand will always be there as long as their is no wide-spread replacement that the average person can afford.

The government does need to step in and help regulate the industry somewhat.

Gasoline is necessary in our society to sustain our quality of life just like electricty is (and don't get me started about electric companies). Unlike food, you have no viable alternative gasolines and electricity like you do food and other goods.

no govt input! you're right about the capt crunch thing... and here's why...

At a time like this where everyone is complaining about gas prices, it makes researchers and engineers try harder to find an alternative to gasoline. Once that is done (which probably in the next few years will be), then the price of gas will go down and a new resource will be available. Its capitalism at its finest... harnesting man's sin nature (mainly talkin about greed here) and turning into a positive impact on our society.

people don't HAVE to have gas... there are scooters, bikes, and the classic foot that people CAN use.

But these days you can't walk the streets of Memphis. Maybe in the country, yeah, but not in Memphis.

transitt Wrote:There is a special place in hell for oil company execs. Name me one other industry......ONE, where the prices could increase by 1/4 to 1/3 in 3-4 months and the government wouldn't step in. I also hold the Democrats responsible. You remember how many ran ads last fall saying that they were going after the oil companies? The must have forgotten those ads as soon as they got in office.

(note: I don't believe in government regulating industry. I do, however, believe in them protecting the American consumer when they are being raped)

Give me a break. They are providing you with a service at a 10% profit margin. They ain't your b***h, and they don't have to work for free as your servant. If you don't like it, burn something else in your car, or get a bike.

We are able to travel in ways never even dreamed of by people 100 years ago, with advanced road systems, flight, and the world at our fingertips, and people just whine about it. Grow up and be thankful for this big, wide world, and maybe invest in energy, if you think it's so easy to make a bundle off the industry. Buy some Exxon, buy a windmill, buy low-energy lights, just stop whining that the world isn't fair, when you can get from Chicago to Paris in nine freakin' hours.

Hey, here's a thought...Pool some cash to build a new refinery. You will a) possibly make some money, and b) provide a larger supply of gas to the public. And you can charge below market value, because, of course, you aren't evil like those other fat cats. Of course, if the energy market collapses, and you lose your money, it won't be so bad, cause you were helping the peeps.

wkid87 Wrote:

Memphisgangsta Wrote:

SCConway Wrote:It's not simply "suppy and demand". The American consumer has no choice but to buy gas and there is no cheap Wal-Mart brand of gasoline out there to buy instead.

Example...if you don't like Captain Crunch because of the price, go buy the Malt-o-Meal equivalent. It tastes exactly the same.

Unfortunately there is no alternative like that to gasoline and unlike Captain Crunch, gas is a necessity to live in this society at the current time.

This has nothing to do about supply and demand because the demand will always be there as long as their is no wide-spread replacement that the average person can afford.

The government does need to step in and help regulate the industry somewhat.

Gasoline is necessary in our society to sustain our quality of life just like electricty is (and don't get me started about electric companies). Unlike food, you have no viable alternative gasolines and electricity like you do food and other goods.

no govt input! you're right about the capt crunch thing... and here's why...

At a time like this where everyone is complaining about gas prices, it makes researchers and engineers try harder to find an alternative to gasoline. Once that is done (which probably in the next few years will be), then the price of gas will go down and a new resource will be available. Its capitalism at its finest... harnesting man's sin nature (mainly talkin about greed here) and turning into a positive impact on our society.

people don't HAVE to have gas... there are scooters, bikes, and the classic foot that people CAN use.

But these days you can't walk the streets of Memphis. Maybe in the country, yeah, but not in Memphis.

ride a bus, carpool (hey theres an idea we could all use), alternate driving a co-worker to work, etc... i understand some places are more dangerous than others, im just saying that these are all things WE need to do, not the government in any way, shape, or form

bubbapt Wrote:

transitt Wrote:There is a special place in hell for oil company execs. Name me one other industry......ONE, where the prices could increase by 1/4 to 1/3 in 3-4 months and the government wouldn't step in. I also hold the Democrats responsible. You remember how many ran ads last fall saying that they were going after the oil companies? The must have forgotten those ads as soon as they got in office.

(note: I don't believe in government regulating industry. I do, however, believe in them protecting the American consumer when they are being raped)

Give me a break. They are providing you with a service at a 10% profit margin. They ain't your b***h, and they don't have to work for free as your servant. If you don't like it, burn something else in your car, or get a bike.

We are able to travel in ways never even dreamed of by people 100 years ago, with advanced road systems, flight, and the world at our fingertips, and people just whine about it. Grow up and be thankful for this big, wide world, and maybe invest in energy, if you think it's so easy to make a bundle off the industry. Buy some Exxon, buy a windmill, buy low-energy lights, just stop whining that the world isn't fair, when you can get from Chicago to Paris in nine freakin' hours.

Hey, here's a thought...Pool some cash to build a new refinery. You will a) possibly make some money, and b) provide a larger supply of gas to the public. And you can charge below market value, because, of course, you aren't evil like those other fat cats. Of course, if the energy market collapses, and you lose your money, it won't be so bad, cause you were helping the peeps.

bubbapt Wrote:

transitt Wrote:There is a special place in hell for oil company execs. Name me one other industry......ONE, where the prices could increase by 1/4 to 1/3 in 3-4 months and the government wouldn't step in. I also hold the Democrats responsible. You remember how many ran ads last fall saying that they were going after the oil companies? The must have forgotten those ads as soon as they got in office.

(note: I don't believe in government regulating industry. I do, however, believe in them protecting the American consumer when they are being raped)

Give me a break. They are providing you with a service at a 10% profit margin. They ain't your b***h, and they don't have to work for free as your servant. If you don't like it, burn something else in your car, or get a bike.

We are able to travel in ways never even dreamed of by people 100 years ago, with advanced road systems, flight, and the world at our fingertips, and people just whine about it. Grow up and be thankful for this big, wide world, and maybe invest in energy, if you think it's so easy to make a bundle off the industry. Buy some Exxon, buy a windmill, buy low-energy lights, just stop whining that the world isn't fair, when you can get from Chicago to Paris in nine freakin' hours.

Hey, here's a thought...Pool some cash to build a new refinery. You will a) possibly make some money, and b) provide a larger supply of gas to the public. And you can charge below market value, because, of course, you aren't evil like those other fat cats. Of course, if the energy market collapses, and you lose your money, it won't be so bad, cause you were helping the peeps.

Yeah, you are right, how dare I get offended that they jack up prices at the pump while paying their guys $400 million dollar retirement packages.
You're right, they're barely turning a profit, they're just damned near charities as it is. How dare I question Exxon for posting the largest profit in the history of mankind. Why, in actuality, they're damned near broke. I'm just silly.

transitt Wrote:

bubbapt Wrote:

transitt Wrote:There is a special place in hell for oil company execs. Name me one other industry......ONE, where the prices could increase by 1/4 to 1/3 in 3-4 months and the government wouldn't step in. I also hold the Democrats responsible. You remember how many ran ads last fall saying that they were going after the oil companies? The must have forgotten those ads as soon as they got in office.

(note: I don't believe in government regulating industry. I do, however, believe in them protecting the American consumer when they are being raped)

Give me a break. They are providing you with a service at a 10% profit margin. They ain't your b***h, and they don't have to work for free as your servant. If you don't like it, burn something else in your car, or get a bike.

We are able to travel in ways never even dreamed of by people 100 years ago, with advanced road systems, flight, and the world at our fingertips, and people just whine about it. Grow up and be thankful for this big, wide world, and maybe invest in energy, if you think it's so easy to make a bundle off the industry. Buy some Exxon, buy a windmill, buy low-energy lights, just stop whining that the world isn't fair, when you can get from Chicago to Paris in nine freakin' hours.

Hey, here's a thought...Pool some cash to build a new refinery. You will a) possibly make some money, and b) provide a larger supply of gas to the public. And you can charge below market value, because, of course, you aren't evil like those other fat cats. Of course, if the energy market collapses, and you lose your money, it won't be so bad, cause you were helping the peeps.

Yeah, you are right, how dare I get offended that they jack up prices at the pump while paying their guys $400 million dollar retirement packages.
You're right, they're barely turning a profit, they're just damned near charities as it is. How dare I question Exxon for posting the largest profit in the history of mankind. Why, in actuality, they're damned near broke. I'm just silly.

Do we need to go over this again? Prices are not "jacked up". They are higher than you are used to paying. I say great job to the ladies and gents at Exxon/Mobil.....

transitt Wrote:

bubbapt Wrote:

transitt Wrote:There is a special place in hell for oil company execs. Name me one other industry......ONE, where the prices could increase by 1/4 to 1/3 in 3-4 months and the government wouldn't step in. I also hold the Democrats responsible. You remember how many ran ads last fall saying that they were going after the oil companies? The must have forgotten those ads as soon as they got in office.

(note: I don't believe in government regulating industry. I do, however, believe in them protecting the American consumer when they are being raped)

Give me a break. They are providing you with a service at a 10% profit margin. They ain't your b***h, and they don't have to work for free as your servant. If you don't like it, burn something else in your car, or get a bike.

We are able to travel in ways never even dreamed of by people 100 years ago, with advanced road systems, flight, and the world at our fingertips, and people just whine about it. Grow up and be thankful for this big, wide world, and maybe invest in energy, if you think it's so easy to make a bundle off the industry. Buy some Exxon, buy a windmill, buy low-energy lights, just stop whining that the world isn't fair, when you can get from Chicago to Paris in nine freakin' hours.

Hey, here's a thought...Pool some cash to build a new refinery. You will a) possibly make some money, and b) provide a larger supply of gas to the public. And you can charge below market value, because, of course, you aren't evil like those other fat cats. Of course, if the energy market collapses, and you lose your money, it won't be so bad, cause you were helping the peeps.

Yeah, you are right, how dare I get offended that they jack up prices at the pump while paying their guys $400 million dollar retirement packages.
You're right, they're barely turning a profit, they're just damned near charities as it is. How dare I question Exxon for posting the largest profit in the history of mankind. Why, in actuality, they're damned near broke. I'm just silly.

So, start your own refinery. Go ahead. Or find another way to get some of those profits, if you think you can. Feel free. That's what every old lady with a mutual fund is doing. The old lady's mutual fund has 5-10% energy stocks, and if they do well (as they've done for the last three years), she has more to use to support herself or her family. Energy was a dead investment from 1980 through 2003; why weren't they just jacking up the prices then?

No, you'd rather just crawl into a ball and say, "poor me, why doesn't everybody do what I want, and give me what I want at my price. And don't make me think too hard, because you're supposed to do that, and take the risks, and then be fair to me because I really like my great big car, or you're a bad person. Same for those evil doctors."

Figure out how the world really works, grab your piece of it, and thank the deity of your choice you live exactly when and where you do, cause it's never -NEVER- been better than it is right now.

1: You don't know me, don't claim to. I'm doing just fine, thank you very much. My money is well invested in mutual funds as well as real estate. I can think any damned thing I want about the oil companies. They are hurting the economy, period. I'm not thinking only of myself, but the country as a whole.

I think the government should not force people to carry auto insurance. Can't wait to hear this debate. lol

I'm sad to say it, but come this time next year we'll be griping about $4 gasoline and it won't get any better in the coming years. Peak oil is here folks.

SCConway Wrote:I think the government should not force people to carry auto insurance. Can't wait to hear this debate. lol

still paying on mine so I have to have full coverage at $120 a month. could buy 3 tanks of gas with that

transitt Wrote:There is a special place in hell for oil company execs. Name me one other industry......ONE, where the prices could increase by 1/4 to 1/3 in 3-4 months and the government wouldn't step in. I also hold the Democrats responsible. You remember how many ran ads last fall saying that they were going after the oil companies? The must have forgotten those ads as soon as they got in office.

(note: I don't believe in government regulating industry. I do, however, believe in them protecting the American consumer when they are being raped)

Oil prices are not set by US oil executives.

transitt Wrote:1: You don't know me, don't claim to. I'm doing just fine, thank you very much. My money is well invested in mutual funds as well as real estate. I can think any damned thing I want about the oil companies. They are hurting the economy, period. I'm not thinking only of myself, but the country as a whole.

If US oil company executives controlled the price of oil, you would have a valid point. Unfortunately, they do not.