Do you beleive gas prices largely being manipulated by politicians?

Question

According to a recent online poll held at webcosmo.com, a free classified ad site, 83% people believe
that gas prices are largely being manipulated by politicians.

When asked "Is gas prices largely being manipulated by politicians?" 83% of respondents voted Yes,
9% respondents voted No, and 6% respondents voted Not Sure.

Petroleum politics have been an increasingly important aspect of international diplomacy since
the discovery of oil in the Middle East in the early 1900s. As competition grows for an
increasingly scarce but vital resource, the strategic calculations of major and minor countries
alike place more prominent emphasis on the pumping, refining, transport and use of petroleum
products.

Like to hear your opinion.
Here is the link to actual poll. http://webcosmo.com/Polls/PollResults.aspx?pollId=1&countryId=1

Answer 1

From direct observation -- I have to say yes.

Gasoline dropping 60 cents a gallon in the few weeks leading up to the 2006 mid-term elections.... then climbing right back up after January.

Same patter over and over.

Answer 2

The oil companies dictate the price of oil. If they are having problems competing with international suppliers, they ask the government to intervene. Often such intervention, which benefits big oil companies, also benefits the US economy, sometimes it doesn't. Congress doesn't always do smart things regardless of the party in control. But supply and demand are the biggest price movers. Sometimes prices are moved to influence politics. This is more a matter of the oil industry manipulating politicians than politicians manipulating oil. By making the people in power look better or worse by changing the price of oil, they try to get the public to vote for the people who will promote policies that benefit their business. But as much as our economy is tied to oil, it would be foolish for the US government to not act to maintain favorable oil prices in the global market.

Answer 3

It is hard to believe that high a number of respondents could believe that all politicians are involved in the manipulation of gas prices. I can believe that some have their fingers in the pie, but nowhere near 83%. Sounds like another conspiracy theory to me. BTW, regular gas in my state has dropped to $2.44 a gallon. But yet crude oil is at near record prices. How does that figure?

Answer 4

Immediately before the invasion of Iraq oil was at $22 a barrel, about 99cents a gallon. If we hadn't inveded it would have gone down when the UN lifted the sanctions.
At $22 a barrel Chevron made $2 billion a quarter, If Sadaam started selling off cheap oil to pay what he owed Russia and France, Chevron would have been in the Red.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED !!!!!

Answer 5

Consider the source. Who are the people being polled? What makes them more likely to know what is going on than, a child for example? Just because 83% believe something doesn't give it much credibility if you look around at realize who is answering these questions. I do not believe they would do that it will only cost them and our country for doing so.
The price of oil is based 100% on what they can get for it. The same as any other product.

Answer 6

War in the middle east ensures continued skyrocketing profits for oil companies. By restricting the export of oil from Iraq and Iran, Republicans are pandering to their powerful investor friends in the oil business.

Answer 7

High gas prices are mostly the result of a refinery shortage. We haven't built a new one in the US since the 70s. We are currently contracting foreign govts to refine gas for us. Simple supply and demand, no conspiracy.
But you tin hat types can go on believing that if you want to. Thats the beautiful thing about America you can think what you want.

Answer 8

Not intentionally.

The large prices are largely a result of government environmental regulation and taxes.

You can thank the Democrats for the extra $1.40 or so we are paying per gallon right now. This is even more true in California.

Answer 9

politicians, petroleum companies are all slick business people. The price goes up on everything. If gas goes up to 5.00 dollars a gallon, the price of food will match it dollar for dollar. gas can go to 1,000 dollars a gallon, bread will cost you 1,000 dollars a loaf. slick business people have the upper hand.

Answer 10

I think its funny how every time there are elections the prices magically go down 10-30 cents a month before