How about we just imperialize, genocize and colonize the entire Middle East. We never did finish those crusades. Sounds like a good time to start again.

 

we are doing that...just not fast enough and the UN keeps getting in the way slowing the process

 

Sounds like those who say it won't work because you never know where the fuel comes from are missing the point. This effort is not to encourage the larger fuel producer such as exxon to lower prices, initialy anyway, it's to create copetition among local service stations. In the long run this will affect the larger corporations. Granted that will be long way down the road, but no better time to start than the present. Not to mention that alot of these stations are company, not locally owned.

 

Hey man, when you get close to Carmel Church again, give me a holler. I'm about 40 miles down the road. I'll buy you a cup of Java.

 

Ok.. I resemble that remark, but still dont think (my opinion) that creating competition between local service stations is the way to do it.. The local guys are not making any money on fuel (consider cost of insurance for the in ground tanks, cost of the nice canopy and pumps eat up the tiny margins they do make). What would the competition cause? Where can they cut their costs in order to lower fuel prices?

Most, if not all, local oil companies get their pricing based on the number of gallons they pull/buy each month/quarter. More fuel = lower pricing. So, when you stop buying they cant buy the volume they need for better pricing which causes the cost to go up.

I believe that the majors need to rein in their profits - a few years ago when fuel prices were the highest ever (at that time)- Exxon reported the best profits ever. To me that is just wrong - since fuel prices have a direct effect on anyone that drives, I would rather see exxon make a modest profit versus making the largest profit (but the investors would disagree Im sure).. But how do you make the majors lower their profits? I certainly dont know.

 

I couldn't agree with you more that it is the big companies that are the problem here, but short of mass letter campaigns to politicians for gov't involvement here, like you I have no idea how to affect them, so we just start where we can and hope for the best.

 

Like I said before, reinstate the Windfall Profits Tax. What this does is cause the oil company's tax load to increase at a higher rate as their profits increase, it becomes more profitable for them to lower fuel prices while still making much the same profit as they did pre high prices than it is to pay the tax.

 

That sounds like the best idea of all, but it takes getting involved to get that done. Most people, including most right here on this board, with all of the best of intentions in mind just never seem to bring themselves to do it. Thats not intended to ridcule anyone, it's just human nature. Those who get involved are the radicals from Greenpece, PETA and so on.

 

I am not familiar with the Windfall Profits Tax, but it would keep the majors from making super large profits (although they deserve to make a profit - they do have a lot of liability and costs associated with mfg fuel products) lets apply it..

We visited my parents today and had lunch.. My mom brought up the same thing "we need to boycott Exxon Mobil service stations to make them lower prices".... She also brought up she didnt understand why gas prices went up each summer... WELL, let me explain for those that may not know part of the reason...

If you live in metropolitan areas the gas retailers must sell a 'reformulated gas' (to simply it lets call it CITY GAS)- Here in VA the areas area NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads/Va Beach.. The rest of VA can get normal/non-reformulated (Country Gas). This is due to EPA restrictions and that the reformulated gas cuts down on some type of emmissions..

OK.. the EPA also has some rules that require ALL service stations to sell a lower type emmissions gas during the summer months (starting about May or so)...

SO.. The reformatulated gas I believe adds about $0.02 to $0.04 per gallon to the cost.. The Summer formulated gas also adds about the same cost..

Price structure for gasoline (highest to lowest) is:

City/summer
City/winter (or country summer depending on summer cost)
Country/summer (or city winter)
Country/winter

That is only in VA - In areas like Chicago, there may be 8 to 12 different types of reformulated gasolines (I dont remember the exact number but it was mind numbing how many) that have to be producted... Maybe we need to get the EPA to set one standard for the entire country so that the refineries dont have to make so many different varieties of gasoline.. that in itself would cut down on production costs, and hopefully price it sells for..

Information overload Im sure.. but as now you may a better picture of the fuel industry..

here are a couple links that talk about Chicago reformulated gas and summer/winter gas.. Just so you know Im not full of 'you know what'... LOL

http://www.ftc.gov/speeches/other/midwestgas.htm

http://www.chicagoredstreak.com/fron...-midgas24.html



Enjoy

 

But once again people would have to get involved. That was an education, I didn't realize all the differant formulations that were needed, but by the same token each summer gas goes up they seem to forget to bring it back down in the fall they just raise it again the next summer.

 

That's only because you let them. Our congresspeople take great credence in input from their constituents. After all they are supposed to work for us, we can fire them by not voting for them. Anyone can write a letter, email or phone their reps. They're not dumb either, they can tell an organized letter writing campaign from one from an individual and it will have more respect.
How to here> http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

 

So we need to get a joint effort together from everyone on all of these forms boards together to do this. Have one of the moderaters put that sight out there as important info and see if people will get involved.

 

They (oil companies) should be regulated like the electric industry.

 

Hijack an oil tanker. Just kinda hard to hide it, then ya gotta refine it......Oh well, it was a good spur of the moment idea.

 

Well, I started on my end. I have contacted my reps in my state, and asked them what they are doing to correct the high prices at the pump. Now my wuestion to you is, Will You Do Your Part??

Contact your rep, and get the waters stirring.