Is it necessary for them to raise gas prices so that they can make record profit??? Last year when we reached $3 a gallon they all came out with record profit!!!??? Now the gas prices are even higher so they could beat their record profit again!!! Is this necessary when most Americans are suffering to pay high gas prices??? If this isn't a rip-off and the Bush admin isn't doing anything about it just as bad as Bush ripping us off!!!!! Why can't these average Americans see that we're being screwed by Bush and his oil buddies!
2007-05-22 09:10:43 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in News & Events ➔ Current Events
They routinely take their refineries off line for legitimate maintainence reasons, but also to cut production and drive up prices thru supply and demand. The best analysis I heard was that the futures market is bidding up prices because of uncertainty about future availability of petroleum because of the Iraq War and maybe an Iran war as well. Also the value of the dollar has collapsed on international markets because of the deficit which has been caused by paying for the Iraq War and cutting taxes for billionaires--everything we import has to cost more with the dollar worth less. How nice for the oil companies.
2007-05-22 09:14:57 · answer #1 · answered by jxt299 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Hey, nice way to lay the blame at the feet of whatever politician you don't like.
Now go sign up for an economics 101 class. Study the part about "Supply and Demand" really well - it will explain what's going on here.
Simply - supply is tight - there's only so much that can be refined at any one time. When demand goes up (as it does in the summer driving season) people will pay more because they want it now - they don't want to wait. So the oil companies can charge more for it. They don't need the president's approval for this.
Does that mean that they are gouging? Maybe, maybe not. It costs money to explore and drill for oil, to transport it when it's pumped out, and to refine it. That has to come from somewhere. If the workers that do all of this are working overtime, they're getting more money. You're paying for it.
If you want to help fix the problem, I can think of two things. First - if the oil companies want to build a refinery in your area, let them. It will be cheaper for you in the long run.
Second - reduce your demand for fossil fuel. Buy a smaller car. Insulate your house. Ride a bike, take public transportation, or just walk. Combine stops so that you only go into town once, instead of 4 separate trips. In short, plan ahead.
2007-05-22 16:19:57 · answer #2 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They are not suffering because of a lack of refineries, they are profiting because of a lack of refineries. It has nothing to do with President Bush either - the last refinery built in the U.S was around 1977, way before GWB was around ( in fact, Carter was president at the time). The simple truth is, if people used less gasoline then the price would come down.
2007-05-22 16:31:38 · answer #3 · answered by True Grits 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ONE MORE TIME - THEY'RE MAKING RECORD PROFITS BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE USING RECORD AMOUNTS OF GAS - NOT BECAUSE THEY'RE MAKING ANY MORE MONEY ON EACH GALLON!! YIPES! Why can't people figure it out? Doesn't anybody remember basic economics??!!! They raise prices according to the demand!!!!!! MORE PEOPLE ARE DEMANDING MORE AND MORE GAS! AND GREENIES IN THIS COUNTRY WON'T LET US DRILL FOR OUR OWN OIL!! And if there are less refineries that means that less gas is getting into the supply ... AND THAT MAKES THE PRICE GO UP!!! AAAAHHHHHH!!!! And if you want to be pissed at someone, be angry at the government for TAXING US OUT THE @ss! The government is getting more in taxes per gallon than the oil companies make, and the government doesn't even do anything to get the gas to us!! And if you're angry about those hideous taxes ... talk to the Dems!! DEMOCRATS LOVE LOVE LOVE TAXES!!!!!
2007-05-22 16:29:45 · answer #4 · answered by chumley 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Why not blame the "environmentalists" too? The restrictions and litigation necessary to get one build isn't worth the work. When you blame Bush for everything with no facts to back it up, you're speaking gibberish. Why hasn't there been a refinery built in the US in the last 30 years??? That, I assure you, had NOTHING to do with Bush.
2007-05-22 16:20:01 · answer #5 · answered by duker918 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think you are correct and the average American is starting to see how closely tied Bush & Co. are with the oil industry. Consider that higher gas prices are easier to achieve if the oil companies just say they need to take some refineries offline for "maintenance". Supply goes down, and prices shoot up. Hmmm.
2007-05-22 16:17:06 · answer #6 · answered by JeffyB 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Good question, but at least if you can afford it we can obtain gas. We don't want to resort to rationing or even resort to the odd/even fill ups. I guess the best thing that the average american can do is to conserve fuel and just use less of it.
2007-05-22 16:21:30 · answer #7 · answered by trigunmarksman 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because there is class war. The rich are getting richer because they rob you blind. They rob you in the gas station, in the hospital and in the voting poll.
Power to the people
2007-05-22 16:15:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
because the oil companies have to shut down to make the summer mixed gasoline. this gas emits lower pollutants. unfortunately they dont use this fuel all year and we have to suffer in the summers
2007-05-22 16:19:56 · answer #9 · answered by jefferson 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's a pre election year...always happens
2007-05-22 16:13:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋