Do you REALLY think you can do ANYTHING to affect the price of gas by not buying any tomorrow?

Question

The email sure makes you feel good, like you're a part of a grass-roots movement to lower prices.

The thing is, the real problem is there is intentionally not enough refinery capacity to meet our gasoline demands, so that drives the price of gasoline up.

The price of gas did NOT drop $.30 the next day when there was an attempted boycott, and it's not going to drop on Wednesday either after an attempted boycott on Tuesday.

But I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Answer 1

Boycotting gas tomorrow reminds me of people who scotch or even duct tape their windows prior to a hurricane.

Their actions aren't going to change a thing.

Why don't we boycott cigarette purchases tomorrow? That'll show those tobacco companies! It'll cut their profits so they'll have to lower the cost of tobacco.

Yeah, right!

When the hurricane comes, it certainly stops mid-wind to check that that window has tape on it before it shatters it to pieces, miserably not held together by duct tape.

WOO HOO!

Answer 2

Snopes.com covered this one very well. The fact is that a one-day boycott for gas can't work, because ultimately you end up buying the gas anyway. You just do it a day earlier or a day later. You still are buying the same amount of gas, so it doesn't change the amount of money the oil companies make, therefore not providing any incentive to lower prices. The only way for a boycott to have an effect is if it directly changes the amount of a product that is purchased. In other words, to have an effective boycott on gas we would have to effectively cease using gas.

Answer 3

You're right, it's a feel-good move like so many other things, not something that will really have an effect. If the price drops the next day, then it would have anyway, and isn't in response to this "boycott".

If people really wanted to do something rather than just feel good, they could try conserving gas, thereby helping the supply/demand ratio - then the prices WOULD come down. But that would take actually changing something in their lives, beyond buying gas today rather than tomorrow. Too many people are attached to their SUV's, pickup trucks or other gas hogs.

It has, unfortunately, become in many quarters a feel-good society, not a what-can-I-do-to-make-things better-for-everyone society.

Answer 4

of course not. even if people try to do something like that, then, what, they'll buy today or wait until wednesday. big deal. do you think the oil companies care if they make it today, tomorrow, the day after. no. it's a commodity we all use and will continue to use.

you want to get upset about something, look at the price of water at your local convenience store. it's free from the tap at home, but at the store it's actually more expensive than gas (so is milk by they way).

Answer 5

Nope. Face it..we are hooked on gas. We need it, and everyone that sells it knows it. Oil is the lifeblood of this country. Every product we buy or sell relies on our transportation system to get it there...by boat, truck, etc...it has to get to where it is going. As for our personal use, if you don't like paying for gas, then don't. Walk or ride a bike. If that is not practical, accept reality, and adjust your own behavior.

Answer 6

Scott, we are dealing with a very powerful lobby, with large tentacles, who was able to place and throw-out elected presidents around the world in the past. It has the third largest lobby in the US congress.
NO, the price will not readily change after a small boycott.
Are you suggesting a stronger statement before you became a believer?

Answer 7

no. america consuming less gas does not stop india and china which are growing in their consumption of energy. theres also other emerging asian countries so its a global increase in energy consumption. i recommend using public transportation since its cheaper if you travel long distances. buy gas company stocks, its a good way to lower your gas cost, today. if you can have a reservior of gas at home before gas goes up. not recommended though for the reservior.

Answer 8

Small companies do pay long-term capital advantageous factors taxes. Obama plans to get rid of all such taxes for small and commence-up companies. as nicely, Obama is featuring well being care tax credit for small companies and better get admission to to capital. the place are you getting the suggestions that he plans to strengthen earnings taxes on small marketers?

Answer 9

it'll work but most people don't know about our plan & will buy gas tomorrow. if all tv & radio stations mention this throughout the today, probably will make a difference.