high gas prices

[stevebeilgard]

am i the only one who has made the correlation that the arabs are raising gas to throw our economy into a tailspin, just to get a muslim elected? why this timing? why so much of a raise in oil prices? when will it stop? let's face it, the economy at the time of the elections, is what folks will think about as they pull the lever.

i think ruining our economy is fully intentional on their part to hurt bush, kill mccain's campaign, and get obama into office. our "friends", the arabs, AREN'T

[wtnhunt]

Sad truth is Steve, that one would have to wonder if there is not some similar motive behind some of our own law makers in regards to just what you posted here.

Seems I vaguely remember before the dems took control of the house and senate, that one of the things they promised American voters was that they would put political parties aside to work together to help the American people get some relief, what gives?????

[buckee]

We are up to $6.00 per gallon here now

[slugshooter]

While I do agree that rising prices from the supplier alternately raises costs for the buyer and on down the line. I find it interesting that with the cost of oil going up and gas prices rising and the every day consumer struggling to make ends meet, why are the oil companies consistently posting such record profits. It seems the only ones benefiting from the rising costs are the oil companies.

[oldksnarc]

I saw/read/heard where the profits are in-line with what any other industry would plan to attain during the normal course of corporate business. Everything's at record levels - the cost of making and selling everything continuously rises.

But, at the risk of repeating myself, like I said before our destruction is going to come from us imploding on ourselves and/or the collapse of our economy.

"There is no need for any further terrorist attacks by the Middle East/Muslims on America. They've already embarked on a path of destruction of America that is going to have greater consequence on us than any attacks on our buildings, infrastructure or citizens. The only reason to keep us looking for terrorists cells who are making plans for attacks and destruction, or for Osama to keep popping his head up periodically with threats of future attacks, is to keep us focused there instead of where the real attack and destruction is going to come from.

Think about it. Attacks on infrastructure and buildings like 9-11 results in the killing of innocent people, which only enrages us, and makes us come together as a people – which makes us stronger and more resolved against those who would harm us. The opposite effect they are looking for.

A better way to destroy us is to cause us to self-destruct and the best way to make us self-destruct is to make us argue among ourselves which, resultingly, causes us to implode upon ourselves. And, I’m not talking about the politics occurring right now with Obama whining, crying and stomping his feet because the President called him an appeaser.

I’m talking about the biggest problem facing us currently – energy.

We keep putting oil in reserve – which we should do for future emergencies – if nothing else than to allow us to have sufficient fuel to keep our military fueled in case of war or emergency and foreign sources dry up, i.e. we end up at war with foreign providers who will be likely to cut us off. The problem with our current energy crisis is that we can’t agree internally and among ourselves on what we should do. Rely on foreign oil or become self-sufficient thru our own resources and/or thru alternate energy sources?

Liberals/environmentalists oppose and/or restrict our off-shore drilling of our own coasts – yet allow foreign governments to drill almost without restriction off those same coasts. Foreign governments can benefit from what should be our oil but we can’t?

Liberals/environmentalists support alternate energy sources (wind, solar, etc) as long as it doesn’t harm some fruit fly or other inane creature. As George Carlin asked, how many tens of thousands of beings/creatures have become extinct over the millenniums of the planet Earth and we really think that as a race we can keep that from happening during our little piece of existence or during the normal course of the earth or solar system?

Liberals/environmentalists oppose opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil exploration, where there’s an estimated 10 billion barrels of oil, because of the potential harm to wildlife. Potential harm versus present/future crisis. As large as the area is isn’t it possible to accomplish both? Room for development and room for protecting the wildlife.

There is also an untapped oil reserve in the North Dakota/Montana/Saskatchewan region that has an estimated 100 billion barrels of which has been compared to being at least as large as the oil Saudi Arabia currently sits on. And, the cost per barrel of oil produced from these fields is estimated at $16 per barrel as opposed to $120+ barrels for foreign oil.

http://www.kiplinger.com/businessres...er_080317.html

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,349728,00.html

Add these to the existing and untapped fields remaining within our country and there is no need at all to rely on foreign energy. Yet, we still remain hostage to foreign (middle east/Muslim) countries and to domestic (liberals/environmentalists) influences.

Domestic oil exploration has to be coupled with the development of alternate energy sources, i.e. sun, wind, nuclear, and so forth. Yet these alternate sources have to become affordable to develop. Nuclear energy is one of the cheapest sources of energy to date – yet, again, the liberals/environmentalists have blocked any new developments for at least the last couple decades.

Future attacks of our buildings or infrastructure are unlikely. If they do attack it will be only to keep our focus misdirected while they destroy us economically. Higher energy prices affect everything in our society. Higher food prices and higher prices on absolutely everything we have and rely on because nothing is grown or produced without energy.

All this has amounted to economic terrorism and will result in America’s implosion on itself. Again, there is no need to attack us except to keep our focus misdirected. They have obviously already engaged in a plan of action designed to destroy our economy.

President Bush visited Saudi Arabia within the last two days and asked for increased oil production to help lower the price per barrel and price per gallon at the pump. Saudi Arabia’s response – we’ve examined the demand and see no need for increased production. That’s an ally willing to help us? Sounds more like an alleged ally willing to profiteer from our needs.

But, wait. Weren’t eighteen of the nineteen 9-11 hijackers Saudis? Isn’t Osama Saudi?

Until WE are willing to find ways to explore for oil AND protect the environment we will be responsible for our own destruction."

That’s all I have to say about that. – Forrest Gump

But, then again, I could be wrong. – Dennis Miller

[terry264]

I think there's something "crooked" going on in the oil industry. Why can people who live in the southern states that border Mexico just drive into Mexico and get their gas for about 40% less. Around 2.40/gal. as of yesterday. Long lines with special driving lanes there now for those who are buying gasoline. Why is it that expensive to cross the border into the U.S. for the same fuel?

[wtnhunt]

Just happened to have this story on the main page for bellsouth when I was checking my email earlier

President, Congress offer no immediate help on gas prices

Published: 6/9/08, 1:00 PM EDT
By Ed Henry CNN White House Correspondent

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Before departing the White House early Monday for a farewell tour of Europe, President Bush stole a page from his predecessor and suggested he feels American consumers' pain.

"A lot of Americans are concerned about our economy," Bush said. "I can understand why. Gasoline prices are high, energy prices are high. I do remind them that we have put a stimulus package forward that is expected to help boost the economy. And of course, we'll be monitoring the situation."
Americans are looking for more action, though, than monitoring the situation.
But while gas prices keep soaring, the chances of Washington finding a solution keep dropping because Democrats and Republicans are deadlocked over how to fix the problem.
Bush talks mostly about increasing supply through more oil drilling in places like Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
"I've proposed to the Congress that they open up ANWR, open up the Continental Shelf, and give this country a chance to help us through this difficult period by finding more supplies of crude oil, which will take the pressure off the price of gasoline," Bush said Monday.
But Democrats like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are vehemently opposed to increasing production on environmental grounds, so the president's plan has virtually no chance of passage in the current Congress.
In turn, Democrats talk mostly about lowering demand for gasoline through research into alternative fuels -- something the president talks about too -- and more funds for mass transit.
"It's got to involve investing in alternative fuels, so that we can have some alternatives to gas and significant investment in public transit," Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, a key supporter of Barack Obama's presidential bid, said Sunday.
These types of plans will take a long time to implement, so no quick fix there either.
And with the federal government now more than $9 trillion in debt, where would Congress find the money to pour into public transit and research into alternative fuels?
With the parties deeply divided on solutions, it's not surprising that last week a Senate bill requiring major cuts in greenhouse-gas emissions failed.
Only 48 of 100 senators voted for it amid charges by White House press secretary Dana Perino that the bill would have a devastating impact on the economy and thus might not really help cut the price in gasoline.
But six absent senators, including Obama and Republican John McCain, said they would have voted yes to end debate and move forward on the bill. That led some in Congress to declare that Congress will have the momentum to take action next year on reducing America's dependence on foreign oil.
All that means, however, is that there's optimism the next president might be able to find an energy compromise in 2009. In other words, don't expect any help from Washington any time soon.

[slugshooter]

I think there's something "crooked" going on in the oil industry. Why can people who live in the southern states that border Mexico just drive into Mexico and get their gas for about 40% less. Around 2.40/gal. as of yesterday. Long lines with special driving lanes there now for those who are buying gasoline. Why is it that expensive to cross the border into the U.S. for the same fuel?

Are they paying $2.40 per gallon, or per liter. I am not sure but I believe every country besides us utilizes the metric system. I know Canada does, not sure about Mexico. If that is the case, at $2.40 per liter, Mexico is paying much higher per gallon then we are.

[slugshooter]

Found this story while searching. The poster isn't too far off, but the potential negatives outweigh the possible incentive to crossing the border, not to mention the cost of actually driving across the border, and then waiting in line to cross into Mexico and return to the states. Since 9/11, you don't just drive across at your leisure, it takes awhile to get back across, especially if driving.

Gas prices fueling fill-ups in Mexico

By Marla Dickerson and Elizabeth Douglass
Los Angeles Times

TIJUANA, Mexico — U.S. motorists are flocking to gas pumps south of the border to save 25 percent or more on the cost of a fill-up — courtesy of the Mexican government.
Worried about inflation, Mexican officials are keeping a lid on retail prices at the state-owned petroleum company Pemex. A gallon of regular in this border town is selling for about $2.60. With prices in California averaging $3.43 — and topping $4 at some stations — drivers are grabbing a deal while they can.
Mexican station owners, too, are pumped by the surge in business. Although they say few Americans are traveling to Mexico specifically to fill their tanks, many more than usual are taking advantage of the chance to buy cheaper gas when they cross the border.
Pemex's pump sales are up 10.5 percent through the first four months of the year compared with the same period last year. Vendors are girding for a rush of business Memorial Day weekend as Americans head to Mexican vacation homes and take home a cheap souvenir in their tanks.
"This has been very, very favorable for us," said Jorge Farfan Gonzalez, general manager of a franchisee that operates 17 Pemex outlets in Baja.
But some say that low-cost gas might not be such a bargain.
Mexican stations are notorious for dispensing short liters. And their fuel, loaded with sulfur, isn't as clean as that mandated in California. That's tough on the environment, and it could harm catalytic converters on newer U.S. cars and trucks, too, said Rich Kassel, a clean-fuel expert with the Natural Resources Defense Council in New York.
"This is the extreme version of driving across town to save a nickel," Kassel said. "It doesn't make sense if you ... end up with fuel that is dirtier and can damage your engine."
There are other risks. Many Pemex attendants are unpaid freelancers hustling for tips — and the chance to shortchange distracted drivers. Some franchisees also have been known to dilute fuel to stretch profits.
The government regulates every aspect of Mexico's gas industry, including retail prices.
As U.S. gas prices have soared, Mexico's border prices for regular have remained at 7.41 pesos a liter, or about $2.60 a gallon. Prices in the interior are even lower at about $2.41 a gallon.

Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

I was in Mazatlan in February and gas was approximately the same price there as it was here at that time. My guess is that the demand in Mexico isn't as high, so it takes longer for price increases (and decreases) to make it to the pump.

[OJR]

SS, that article is copyright in 2007!

[slugshooter]

SS, that article is copyright in 2007!

I don't write it...I just steal and plagiarize it!

[ky_deerhunter_77]

I think there's something "crooked" going on in the oil industry. Why can people who live in the southern states that border Mexico just drive into Mexico and get their gas for about 40% less. Around 2.40/gal. as of yesterday. Long lines with special driving lanes there now for those who are buying gasoline. Why is it that expensive to cross the border into the U.S. for the same fuel?

The short answer is Mexico sepsedize (sp?) the gas prices. The Mexican government pays for some of the cost. Just like the U S help pay for biodiesel, ethanol, etc....

[nativetexan]

I think people have too much time on their hands to think up conspiracy theories. There is no doubt in my mind that Obama will screw things up royally as democrats always do, but I believe that world corporations have too much invested in this country to let it fail. Obama still has to answer to us, and if he thinks for one minute he doesn't, that will be the day that we will use the processes in place to remove him from office.

Times definitely suck right now, but it won't be forever.

[craig mack]

I think people have too much time on their hands to think up conspiracy theories. There is no doubt in my mind that Obama will screw things up royally as democrats always do, but I believe that world corporations have too much invested in this country to let it fail. Obama still has to answer to us, and if he thinks for one minute he doesn't, that will be the day that we will use the processes in place to remove him from office.

Times definitely suck right now, but it won't be forever.

Keep blaming Dems its not like we didnt just have a Republican in office for two terms. Funny how some of you think everything is the Dems fault and the Republicans can do no wrong. Gimme a break, they're all crooks!!!