Any ******* who work for ExxonMobil like to try and explain 39.5B in profit?

Question

Why is it in CA insurance companies are forced by the state to cut rates when their profits are to high, but oil companies are ok?

Why doesn't ExxonMobil take some of that money and build a new refinery? Every other industry in this country, when demand rises, they increase production! These guys aren't! They know if they do prices will drop. Don't give me that crap about the enviromentalists blocking it, for 39 billion you could buy half of Arizona and do what ever you want. Or buy a lot of politicians. Which ever - republican or democrap, politician pledges to fix this in 2008 will get my vote.

Enough is enough. High gas prices hurt the average American as hard as a tax increase, yet no politician is willing to fight to lower gas prices! As long as Americans want gas we should be doing everything to ensure a cheap and plentiful supply. You can do that AND come up with alternatives at the same time.

Answer 1

The total profit number doesn't mean much. It's PERCENT PROFIT that's important. And, with that as the metric, Exxon is about average among Fortune 100 companies.

Politicians can't "fix" this. Anytime the government tries to screw about with supply & demand, things get worse, not better.

Based upon the annual inflation rate, gas prices are about the same as they were in 1980.

If you want to do something about the price you pay, use less of it. Our family has cut back our gas use by 25% in the past year.

Answer 2

Hey, dude. You know damn well that if Exxon decided today they wanted to build a new refinery between environmental studies, zoning, getting permits,etc. it would be 15 years before even a shovelful of dirt were turned.
Don't count on the politicians to do a thing but talk.
What are you doing to help reduce demand???

Answer 3

We aren't going to get any help from politicians. They've been purchased by Big Oil and a multitude of other corporations.