Republicans: We obviously pay for them at the pump

[maxrandb]

Well, Regular Unleaded Gasoline in my area has risen about $0.10 a gallon since the Tea-baggers threw their little temper-tantrum at the polls in November. Hey, somehow our corporate overlords have to make back the billion$ they laid out to elect these right-wing nutbags.

Gas reached over $4 a gallon during Bush' term in office. Wonder how long it will take to get back there now that Repubs control the House?

Anyway, just something I happened to notice while I was fueling my Hybrid.

[hughee99]

1. If I understand this whole "pump price vs. election situation",

The price of gas went up dramatically under Bush because they could get away with it. At the same time, they kept the price of it down lower than it should of been to help repukes get elected.

The price of gas was artificially high under Obama and Democrats to get people to blame them and get repukes elected, now after the election, the price will go up (even though it was artificially high before) so they can re-coop their losses that they weren't having.

And there are people who are both pissed that the price of gas is so high while simultaneously upset that the prices aren't higher because that will encourage fuel efficiency and new technologies.

:crazy:

[savalez]

2. interesting food for thought there.

[maxrandb]

3. I like your thinking

but I think one of the missing pieces of the puzzle is that folks calling for "green energy" and "alternative fuel" have very, very, VERY little power.

We used to say that if gas went to $5 a gallon, it would have the positive affect of pushing us toward more energy efficient fuel alternatives, BUT...when the people who obviously control the debate in Congress have no interest in "fuel efficiency", they run no risk of actually having to do something, or see some legislation passed that would end our dependence on fossil fuels.

It's a "Win/Win" for the powerful. Prices increase, profits increase, and with those profits, they buy more politicians to ensure that their "golden goose" is protected. The only people who lose are those of us that can't afford to pay to put a politician in our pocket.

It's kind of like Progressivea and Liberals pissing and moaning that President Obama may compromise to temporarily extend the tax-cuts for the wealthy in exchange for continued middle class cuts in the stimulus bill, plus unemployment benefits, after they abandoned this President this past November.

Folks sat on their hands, handed the Repukes the House and multiple seats in the Senate, and then say; "why can't Obama force the Repukes to meet his demands"? :crazy:

[MikeFoxtroters]

5. It sounds like

you think the US government has the power to control oil prices.

[maxrandb]

7. Not the US

Just a select few world-wide in the top 2% bracket.

Obviously, our benevolent corporate masters and wealthy "elites" would NEVER purposefully manipulate prices. It's those "eggheaded college elites" and "jounalist elites" that do that, right? :sarcasm:

[MikeFoxtroters]

9. oh

Do you have any specific names of these people. US citizens in the top 2% who control world oil prices.

[maxrandb]

11. Here's just a couple of examples

http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/24/markets/cftc/index.htm

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The government charged an oil trading firm Thursday with manipulating oil prices in the first complaint to be announced since the regulators began a new investigation into wrongdoings in the energy markets.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission accused Optiver Holding, two of its subsidiaries and three employees with manipulation and attempted manipulation of crude oil, heating oil and gasoline futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

"Optiver traders amassed large trading positions, then conducted trades in such a way to bully and hammer the markets," CFTC Acting Chairman Walt Lukken said at a press conference. "These charges go to the heart of the CFTC's core mission of detecting and rooting out illegal manipulation of the markets."

----------------------------------------------------------------

Over the years, the CFTC has found isolated incidents of price manipulation - when an oil producer controls products to influence prices - or other cases of wrongdoing. Since 2002, the agency has charged 66 defendants with energy market violations.

In a recent case, BP settled a suit that alleged the company tried to corner the propane market to inflate prices in 2003 and 2004. BP agreed to pay a $303 million settlement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Of course, that must just be the "liberal" media. I guess if you didn't see it on Faux News or hear it from Limpballs, it must not happen.

[MikeFoxtroters]

13. which begs the question

why restrictions and or regulations on futures markets and trading were not part of the financial stability act.

[Angry Dragon]

14. When you find someone that will truthfully answer that question

you let us know.

Why are there so many things not being done to protect the people of this country??
Just an idle question that no one will answer

[Jeffersons Ghost]

18. Rupert Murdoch is the only top 2% that I can name. Big Oil billionaires remain anonymous

[Skidmore]

12. What the US government does have control of is

our international relations and when we for decades kiss the Saudi aristocracy's rings while neglecting to find a way to circumvent their oil cartel, then we have a national security problem.

[MikeFoxtroters]

4. The reenactment of the ban

for exploration and drilling on the Atlantic coast caused the most recent oil price jump. I don't think it has anything to do with the elections.

[maxrandb]

8. Really?

So a ban to help ensure a corporation like BP wouldn't be on the hook in the future for HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS in liability caused the increase?

A ban on off-shore drilling (supported overwhelmingly by the people who depend on tourism for a living) caused the price of gasoline sitting in gas station tanks and refineries to increase?

With that logic, I must assume you're a Palin supporter!

[MikeFoxtroters]

10. oil prices

did rise after the Atlantic coast was rebanned and it was attributed directly to that. Gas stations do not wait to raise prices when this happens. They only wait when the price of oil goes down. Watch oil prices and how quickly your local gas stations change the price up or down.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

17. Gas stations charge consumers for the cost to refill their storage tanks.

A gas station must have it's tanks refilled often. The gas station MUST charge the consumer for the cost-to-replace that gallon of gas. If the station charged $2.90/gal for 30,000 gallons of gas and the next batch of gas costs $3.10/gal... the gas station is short on money by about $6000 to fill thier tanks up. Said otherwise, when you buy a gallon of gas you're really paying for the cost to replace that gallon of gas when the station is replentished.

Gasoline distributers also do this for charging gas stations to refill... they check the cost of fuel from refineries (whose price reflects any supply shortage) and then forward that price to the stations. then the stations update thier price accordingly. This is why a station's advertised prices may change a few times a day despite actually getting new fuel delivered every few days.

So, yes... despite the cost of the gas in a station's storage tanks its WORTH and PRICE are the cost of getting gas "tomorrow".

[NickB79]

15. Too bad you're the only one saying that

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2010/12/01/Crude-oil-prices-jump-on-weaker-dollar/UPI-21311291217119/

"Crude oil prices jump on weaker dollar"

To attribute the recent run-up of gas prices to a ban of exploration and drilling in a portion of the Atlantic that would have no effect on actual oil production for years is ludicrous.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

6. K&R

[Jeffersons Ghost]

16. someone obviously took my recommendation off this OP; but they can't prevent a kick

:kick: