There should be no reason why we should have to pay $3.50 a gallon for gas. My be the goverment should worry about us poor US citizens instead of worring about people in these other countries.
2006-08-12 00:49:15 · 25 answers · asked by solo cup 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
The consumer is one of the most powerful people in the world. We don't pay a high price for something if we don't want to-unless we need it. A conservative friend of mine gives me the crap that people only pay what they are willing to pay. That is crap. The fact is that these oil companies have us by the throat (and wallet) and are charging us whatever they want despite our needs. Exxon Mobile was projected to make $40 billion at the end of the year BEFORE the recent price hikes. They are not hurting, we are. Simple consumer rebellion wont work here folks. Nor will our Government help, as they are paid not to.
2006-08-12 00:59:14 · answer #1 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
By the myriad of answers you have received I should think that generally, no one know what to do. Many people think that oil prices are what govern the cost of gas. However, gasoline is only a by product of the refining process in the production of other products. Plastics, (monomers and polymers) in fact make up a large portion of the refined product. I would be good if we could shame the oil companies into realizing the damage their doing by profiting off the misfortune of others. But there greed is nothing new, and besides you have to have a heart to be affected by that logic. Then again pick an industry, any industry and you will find the same logic in place. Its all money, and its all corrupted by money. There can be no changes so long as we the people live in apathy. I believe there should be a cap on the amount of profit that can be made by any company, and a limit on the amount any Executive can make. I would say 10 million is a good lifetime number, anything more than that is just plain greed.
2006-08-12 05:38:56 · answer #2 · answered by Tom H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Oil Companies regulate the price of gasoline by regulating the flow of gas for maximum profit. They will keep raising prices until consumers start driving less. What is actually happening is that driving is increasing, not decreasing. Look for gas to go up to $4.00 or more. Whatever the public accepts, that is what the Big Guys will do. Maximum profit is what this is all about. And don't look to the Government to seriously do something about this. Part of the price of gas is their huge tax, and you know they are addicted to that.
If enough people curtail their driving, it will impact the price of gas. The problem is that everyone has a so-called legitimate excuse for driving and expect the other guy to cut back. Boycott? Good idea. Actually do the boycott? Well...
The Oil Companies salivate with the knowledge that the American Public is not slowing down. So it is full steam ahead. $4.00, $5.00, who knows?
2006-08-12 01:12:32 · answer #3 · answered by pshdsa 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It won't make any difference.
A few years ago there was a nationwide protest across the UK against the high gas prices. The fuel depots were blockaded so nothing could get in or out, lorries and tractors blocked the main roads and the whole country more or less ground to a halt.
Despite the huge inconvenience the public were overwhelmingly in support of the protests. The result was that the government made a few vague promises and then introduced lots of rules to prevent it happening again and gave the police and military more powers to deal with protesters in the future.
2006-08-12 00:58:22 · answer #4 · answered by Trevor 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that supply and demand pretty much dictate the prices in general...it has always been that way for any commodity. What irks me is that I see prices vary as much as a quarter a gallon at stations just a few miles apart. I am lead to believe that the profit margin is paper thin, but I do not believe it. At the slightest hint of production trouble, of any kind, the prices shoot up. Time to take our technology, that we already have, and put it to use. We will all be driving fancy go-karts 20 yrs from now, maybe it is time !!??
2006-08-12 01:07:07 · answer #5 · answered by Loridiane 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Put their foot on the ground walking instead of on the gas pedal. What can we do? The environmentalists have prevented building of more refineries by so many regulations and from exploring our own resources to protect the caribou. Then, the price per barrel is in the hands of the middle east.
2006-08-12 00:55:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The large oil companies bought and closed refineries all over the states. They bought oil rights, and never drilled for them. Here in Indiana we have oil reserves not opened since the 1980s, we have natural gas reserves, closed off. We have a refinery that was one a independent, purchased by a major company and closed down.
This happened all over the states.
If we want to put our collective feet down and change things it will take becoming involved, writing our government, voting for people who agree. Driving only when necessary, not just because you want a movie, or a six pack.
2006-08-12 01:01:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The government isn't going to control prices. We are a country of free commerce, regulating the oil industry will not solve the issue.
Until we as consumers stand up to the oil companies by purchasing less gas they are not going to give up their profits. So if you want gas prices to go down, sell your gas guzzline SUV, carpool, and spend less time on the road.
2006-08-12 00:52:26 · answer #8 · answered by Erin S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The government does not set oil prices! Look it up! They never have! It's called OPEC. The only way to drop prices here is open the reserve which would be insane until we know what is going to happen in the Middle East, or drill for ourselves offshore. Either way, we simply can't generate enough oil to support the country's demand on our own.
2006-08-12 00:58:12 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
An important thing to remember is that the government IS seperate from the oil companies and doesn't control how much money the companies demand for gasoline.
Being that the US is founded on capitalism the company can charge that much.
2006-08-12 01:05:16 · answer #10 · answered by sshazzam 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋