Bush the failed oilman oversees $70.00 a barrel oil

Exxon-Mobil operates on an 8% profit margin. Show me another business that does that? But, since they had record profits, it seems more like the problem is with those who over-consume, not those who supply.

 

You do realize that we live in a nation that was founded upon the notion of capitalism, don't you?

You do understand that the government stepping in to ensure that business doesn't profit is more in tune with socialism, or even communism, right?

You do understand that if fuel prices would have stayed in line with inflation you would be thrilled to see gas for $2.50 a gallon, correct?

More importantly, you do understand that Bush is a second term president, and attacking him does nothing to further the liberal agenda you cling to, don't you? How about putting the ideas on the table and having a real debate. Attacking a man that cannot be reelected does not make electoral sense. It is time to admit that he beat you and move on to the next race.

 

Yeah, and we all know rich white wives never spent money before that bad ole' Bush.

[personal attack on a fellow poster snipped]

[ April 18, 2006, 10:40 AM: Message edited by: C4K ]

 

I think more accurately it was free enterprise which can include capitalism but is broader. Free enterprise assumes property rights and much freedom to do business.

Capitalism by necessity requires more control.

 

I got an email that says if we quit buying gas from ExxonMobil (the largest oil company in the world) and started buying from BP or some other company, the price of gasoline would come down, because ExxonMobil really sets the prices and the others follow suit. I know, I know, tell me what Snopes says. Anyway, it would be an interesting experiment if we all shunned ExxonMobile for the next 60 days and could see whether or not it had any effect.

 

In regards to your comments, Scott, it wasn't the Dems who discouraged the conservative base, it was the Republicans and President Bush who have discouraged their conservative base. What Democrats do or don't do doesn't affect how I feel about anything. I basically consider the Democratic party leaders to be a pest that I wish I could spray some Raid on, kinda like an yellow jacket, so nothing they do or don't do has any persuasion on my opinion.

And yep, I'll be sitting out a few elections from now on, maybe forever.

 

One can buy more gallons of gas for an hour's pay than one could when the cost was 25 cents a gallon.

 

LE, since there are no Exxon or Mobil stations here, it wouldn't matter to me! Besides, this is one of those urban myths. It isn't EM setting prices alone.

Also, buying from BP is supporting a foreign company versus ExxonMobil, a US-based firm. Of course, like all multinationals, they all operate everywhere.

 

Snopes on gasoline prices:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/gasoline/gasout.asp

 

And I remember when ground beef was three pounds for a dollar on sale, too. And bread was 25 cents a loaf. And a new house was going for $10,000. Dollars went much farther then.

 

But the dollars were much fewer and further between.

 

Minimum wage was $1.10 when my grandparents spent $10,000 on a house.

Oh, and many years ago, a refrigerator cost more than a house.

BTW, what's your point?

 

Yes, but your grandparents didn't have to pay a toll to drive to work. And they didn't spend half of their paychecks in taxes.

If the government is involved enough to tax us to death, then, by gum, they can be involved enough to make gas cheaper.

Now, I know most of you are going to say the government shouldn't be taxing us so much either, but the fact is that they are.

I can either pay outrageous taxes or outrageous gas prices, I can not afford to do both.

If the government will not lower our taxes, then they need to fix gas prices. If they will lower our taxes, then leave the oil companies alone.

Personally, I don't understand how those execs for Exxon, etc can sleep at night knowing the hardships their fellow citizens are enduring. They ought to feel obligated to help us out without government interference. There was a time when people would do just that to help others.

The old saying used to be "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer", now it could read "the rich get super-rich and everyone else is outta luck."

This is one Republican who is getting fed up with the Republicans running our government.

Tancredo for President in '08!!!!!!!!

 

Do you understand the concept of operating on only 8% profit margin? Find one other business that does that and is still in business after a year.

And are you sure you want the government that operates the welfare system, the tax system, and has conducted operations such as that at Waco, Ruby Ridge, and the Elian Gonzales fiasco running the petroleum supply?

If you don't like the gas prices, then use less. Buy a more efficient car. (Which, Oregon has figured out a new way to tax the miles you drive instead of the gas you buy, so don't think that cheaper gas is going to help.)

Come to think of it, if I remember correctly, the federal gas tax is about 25 cents per gallon, which is higher than the profit margin of the oil companies. Add to that state and local taxes on the gas, and the government could help control the cost of gas without making an unconstitutional property grab and simply lower the taxes.

 

>> the government could help control the cost of gas without making an unconstitutional property grab and simply lower the taxes. <<

I remember a few years back when the state of Indiana temporarily suspended the gas tax for a few months during a price crunch. It was a very popular move with the residents, but it sure was a budget buster.

 

Snopes:

For the rest of this year, DON'T purchase ANY gasoline from the two biggest companies (which now are one), EXXON and MOBIL. If they are not selling any gas, they will be inclined to reduce their prices. If they reduce their prices, the other companies will have to follow suit.

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

Substitute "Safeway" for 'Exxon or Mobile" and "groceries" for "gas." Will the price of food decrease or will competition be eliminated?

Doesn't matter what the dollar "buys." People buy stuff with their labor. Only thing matters is how much stuff an hour of labor can buy.

 

I predict $70 a gallon gasoline in a
Democratic administration. I'll be there
griping about it. For now, I'm happy,
I have a job. I'll have to quit working
or carpool when gasoline hits $40 a gallon.

 

I just sat in a line 5 cars deep (per pump) at the Kroger gas station. Their regular is $2.81, minus $.03 with a plus card. Most stations around here are charging around $2.89 for regular.

Hope, #1, I can not afford a hybrid, #2, there are no cars that get good gas mileage that I can fit in (I suppose I could saw my legs off), #3, my truck is an '05 model and I do get decent mileage.

I can not use less gas because I need my job. The only places I drive anymore are work and church. At my previous job I carpooled. What else can I do???

I don't care if the oil companies are making 5% profit. They are posting $10 billion per quarter profits when the rest of us are working our tails off just to buy the gas to go work our tails off.

If they were posting losses, I guarantee you they would be the first ones running to the government to bail them out. In those cases, they believe it is the government's responsibility to bail them out. I say, if the government is allowed to handle things then, then they should be allowed to handle things now.