Comments on: Oil Industry and price gouging http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=oil-industry-and-price-gouging Think Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:45:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Moonage http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/comment-page-1/#comment-932 Moonage Thu, 06 Apr 2006 14:17:03 +0000 http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/#comment-932 It's not the van, it's a houseboat. And, if I can get a houseboat to do 88 mph on water, I wouldn't have to worry about the "gas free" angle to sell it. But, Back to the Future is the key to how this thing works. More details when I know the patent is secure. It might already be, so it shouldn't be too long. Then, hopefully I'll be able to post one of my off-the-wall observations of all thing science about myself. Now, wouldn't that be cool? There's nothing particularly revolutionary here other than the application, so, prepare to be underwhelmed most likely. But, I'm willing to put my wallet where my mouth is and bet the US is getting as tired of relying on nothing but petroleum as I am. It’s not the van, it’s a houseboat. And, if I can get a houseboat to do 88 mph on water, I wouldn’t have to worry about the “gas free” angle to sell it.

But, Back to the Future is the key to how this thing works. More details when I know the patent is secure. It might already be, so it shouldn’t be too long. Then, hopefully I’ll be able to post one of my off-the-wall observations of all thing science about myself. Now, wouldn’t that be cool? There’s nothing particularly revolutionary here other than the application, so, prepare to be underwhelmed most likely. But, I’m willing to put my wallet where my mouth is and bet the US is getting as tired of relying on nothing but petroleum as I am.

]]> By: Suzie Q http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/comment-page-1/#comment-931 Suzie Q Thu, 06 Apr 2006 05:57:02 +0000 http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/#comment-931 Everyone passes the cost on. That's why building a house, like I'm doing right now, costs so much. Every supplier, tradesman, vendor, etc. raises their prices to make up for their increased costs. Moon - does your van actually make it up to 88mph to engage the flux capacitor? ;) Everyone passes the cost on. That’s why building a house, like I’m doing right now, costs so much. Every supplier, tradesman, vendor, etc. raises their prices to make up for their increased costs.

Moon – does your van actually make it up to 88mph to engage the flux capacitor? ;)

]]> By: Moonage http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/comment-page-1/#comment-930 Moonage Wed, 05 Apr 2006 23:53:43 +0000 http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/#comment-930 "Interesting, a houseboat powered without petroleum. Hmmm... sails or oars?" Actually, flux capacitor. Not everyone gets reimbursed. Like me for example. The more gas costs, the less I make. I don't like that. Do I really have to explain why? “Interesting, a houseboat powered without petroleum.
Hmmm… sails or oars?”

Actually, flux capacitor.

Not everyone gets reimbursed. Like me for example. The more gas costs, the less I make. I don’t like that. Do I really have to explain why?

]]> By: spaceman http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/comment-page-1/#comment-929 spaceman Wed, 05 Apr 2006 22:04:17 +0000 http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/#comment-929 Interesting, a houseboat powered without petroleum. Hmmm... sails or oars? Its now $80 to fill my work van of which I pass on to my customers... sheesh, what a drag on the economy. Interesting, a houseboat powered without petroleum.
Hmmm… sails or oars?

Its now $80 to fill my work van of which I pass on to my customers… sheesh, what a drag on the economy.

]]> By: Moonage http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/comment-page-1/#comment-928 Moonage Wed, 05 Apr 2006 13:12:09 +0000 http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/#comment-928 Well, all four posts sort of went back to the same issue. The "bust" of the 80's was in large part because of the windfall taxes that were imposed because of the huge profits that were incurred during the oil embargos. So, no, I don't support taxation or any type of action along those lines. It's just passed onto the consumer as well. The federal government brought racketeering charges against tobacco for pretty much what everyone assumes the oil industry is doing. They've never been able to win their case. But they've sure changed the perception people had of the tobacco industry. Whereas the tobacco companies were rather smug in their practices before, they're certainly not now. However, the only ones that have made any money from that are the lawyers for both sides. However, racketeering in the oil industry "appears" to be happening now. How else would anyone explain ALL of the big oil producers SUDDENLY becoming so profitable they can't stand it at pretty much the same time when the country is watching the airline industry collapse, the trucking industry is hurting, and according to my "sources", it ain't the local guys making any money. So, bottom line, let's go the racketeering route and see how it pans out. If they can honestly say that it's just coincedence that they all move their prices at the same time, and the price of crude they mine is costing exactly the same whether it's coming from South America, Mexico, Canada, Russia, or the Middle East, then they'll make me look pretty darn stupid. Otherwise, I bet the price of gas drops immediately. And, if we can take the profit out of gas, THEN we'll get our hydrogen cars and products that don't destroy the environment. And, I've always said that the big "hydrogen" producers will be today's big oil producers. But, they've got to be motivated to do it. Netting $30 billion a year won't motivate them to change one thing other than the price at the pump. Well, all four posts sort of went back to the same issue. The “bust” of the 80′s was in large part because of the windfall taxes that were imposed because of the huge profits that were incurred during the oil embargos. So, no, I don’t support taxation or any type of action along those lines. It’s just passed onto the consumer as well. The federal government brought racketeering charges against tobacco for pretty much what everyone assumes the oil industry is doing. They’ve never been able to win their case. But they’ve sure changed the perception people had of the tobacco industry. Whereas the tobacco companies were rather smug in their practices before, they’re certainly not now. However, the only ones that have made any money from that are the lawyers for both sides. However, racketeering in the oil industry “appears” to be happening now. How else would anyone explain ALL of the big oil producers SUDDENLY becoming so profitable they can’t stand it at pretty much the same time when the country is watching the airline industry collapse, the trucking industry is hurting, and according to my “sources”, it ain’t the local guys making any money. So, bottom line, let’s go the racketeering route and see how it pans out. If they can honestly say that it’s just coincedence that they all move their prices at the same time, and the price of crude they mine is costing exactly the same whether it’s coming from South America, Mexico, Canada, Russia, or the Middle East, then they’ll make me look pretty darn stupid.

Otherwise, I bet the price of gas drops immediately.

And, if we can take the profit out of gas, THEN we’ll get our hydrogen cars and products that don’t destroy the environment. And, I’ve always said that the big “hydrogen” producers will be today’s big oil producers. But, they’ve got to be motivated to do it. Netting $30 billion a year won’t motivate them to change one thing other than the price at the pump.

]]> By: oldhats http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/comment-page-1/#comment-927 oldhats Wed, 05 Apr 2006 11:37:27 +0000 http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/#comment-927 Moon, Of course you shouldn't "shut up." We can disagree respectfully, or at least I can. :) I was actually enjoying the exchange. Suszie Q, I think you're right. The oil industry is cyclical--one of boom or bust. Right now, they're in a boom. We shouldn't forget the busts...like a couple of decades (give or take) I like to call the 70s & 80s. Moon, Of course you shouldn’t “shut up.” We can disagree respectfully, or at least I can. :) I was actually enjoying the exchange.
Suszie Q, I think you’re right. The oil industry is cyclical–one of boom or bust. Right now, they’re in a boom. We shouldn’t forget the busts…like a couple of decades (give or take) I like to call the 70s & 80s.

]]> By: Suzie Q http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/comment-page-1/#comment-926 Suzie Q Wed, 05 Apr 2006 06:20:47 +0000 http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/#comment-926 Exxon and other oil companies make 8-10 cents on the dollar in profits while other industries such as banking and pharmaceuticals make 15-30 cents/dollar. Should those other industries be accused of price gouging and hauled before Congress to explain themselves? You asked what was going on here and the simple answer is that the world economy is booming. The demand in China and India, and here at home, is putting a strain on oil production. Demand goes up, supply goes down or stays the same, and the price goes up. When the price goes up profits go up. Over-reacting to these profit figures could get us in a lot of trouble in the long run when the industry levels off. If the government over taxes oil companies now what are you going to say when our domestic oil industry is on the verge of bankruptcy in 10-15 years? Are you going to support a government bail out at that time? After all, lots of people depend on the oil industry and related industries (transportation, tourism, construction, technology, etc.) for their livelihoods. Are you going to let them all suffer in the future to get back at the oil companies for their profits today? Exxon and other oil companies make 8-10 cents on the dollar in profits while other industries such as banking and pharmaceuticals make 15-30 cents/dollar. Should those other industries be accused of price gouging and hauled before Congress to explain themselves?

You asked what was going on here and the simple answer is that the world economy is booming. The demand in China and India, and here at home, is putting a strain on oil production. Demand goes up, supply goes down or stays the same, and the price goes up. When the price goes up profits go up.

Over-reacting to these profit figures could get us in a lot of trouble in the long run when the industry levels off. If the government over taxes oil companies now what are you going to say when our domestic oil industry is on the verge of bankruptcy in 10-15 years? Are you going to support a government bail out at that time? After all, lots of people depend on the oil industry and related industries (transportation, tourism, construction, technology, etc.) for their livelihoods. Are you going to let them all suffer in the future to get back at the oil companies for their profits today?

]]> By: staff1 http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/comment-page-1/#comment-925 staff1 Wed, 05 Apr 2006 03:03:08 +0000 http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/#comment-925 Something needs to be done to fix this situation, I think we can all agree on that. And I'm with you, Joel. If we're trying to lower the price of gas, taxes won't help. Taxes will just raise prices, and then we're back here where we started, looking for solutions to a problem that has only gotten worse. Something needs to be done to fix this situation, I think we can all agree on that. And I’m with you, Joel. If we’re trying to lower the price of gas, taxes won’t help. Taxes will just raise prices, and then we’re back here where we started, looking for solutions to a problem that has only gotten worse.

]]> By: Joel http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/comment-page-1/#comment-924 Joel Wed, 05 Apr 2006 02:18:57 +0000 http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/#comment-924 Moon, I equally appreciate the right to speak up! What do you propose is the fix? Hopefully not a Windfall Profit Tax. That was tried in the 1980s and the disastrous consequences led to its repeal. Moon, I equally appreciate the right to speak up! What do you propose is the fix? Hopefully not a Windfall Profit Tax. That was tried in the 1980s and the disastrous consequences led to its repeal.

]]> By: Moonage http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/comment-page-1/#comment-923 Moonage Wed, 05 Apr 2006 00:20:34 +0000 http://politics.moonagewebdream.com/2006/03/31/oil-industry-and-price-gouging/#comment-923 The price of crude ADDS to the equation. But, a $30 BILLION margin certainly adds to it as well. Their competitiveness on a global scale? Why should I care about that? We should be driving hydrogen cars that burn water and release pure oxygen. Especially with all that research and development that's being done. I could care less how competitive public companies are. They're owned as much by foreign interests as US. My retirement's in private stocks that I know what they're doing very intimately. If people have taken a look at what's going on and still think it's a good idea to stock their retirement on an industry that's being vilified, that's their choice. That certainly doesn't mean I have to shut up simply because of their investment strategy. Put their money in the fuel cell companies, the hydrogen companies, the nuclear companies. If they're planning for the future, invest in the future. However, it's kinda hard to invest in anything when it costs $40 a whack to fill up my transportation because there is no other option and Exxon sees fit to rape me because of it. That's not "American success" on a global scale. That's a mostly foreign owned entity destroying the fabric of American society. And, I'm going to vilify it as long as I feel like it. That's the most important American success left. The price of crude ADDS to the equation. But, a $30 BILLION margin certainly adds to it as well.

Their competitiveness on a global scale? Why should I care about that? We should be driving hydrogen cars that burn water and release pure oxygen. Especially with all that research and development that’s being done. I could care less how competitive public companies are. They’re owned as much by foreign interests as US. My retirement’s in private stocks that I know what they’re doing very intimately. If people have taken a look at what’s going on and still think it’s a good idea to stock their retirement on an industry that’s being vilified, that’s their choice. That certainly doesn’t mean I have to shut up simply because of their investment strategy. Put their money in the fuel cell companies, the hydrogen companies, the nuclear companies. If they’re planning for the future, invest in the future. However, it’s kinda hard to invest in anything when it costs $40 a whack to fill up my transportation because there is no other option and Exxon sees fit to rape me because of it. That’s not “American success” on a global scale. That’s a mostly foreign owned entity destroying the fabric of American society. And, I’m going to vilify it as long as I feel like it. That’s the most important American success left.

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