We are getting screwed, while some are reaping the profits

[Chadman]

I'll tell you one thing...I think it's time somebody spent some serious time examining the refinery situation of U.S. and other countries. Now, citizens are being told the new reason why gas prices are so high is because refiners are not keeping up with demand and are producing at something like 81% of capacity. Weren't we all told one of the main reasons the oil industry needed tax breaks and credits during the first days of the Bush and Cheney administration was for infrastructure, new production and refining projects to help ease our dependence on foreign oil?

There have been no refineries built in this country since 1976...more than 30 years. The oil companies have enjoyed banner quarters for quite a while now...an embarrassment of riches, and now the reason is because refiners are not keeping up.

Conservatives always cry about accountability when it comes to a lot of things (education, government spending, etc.). Strangely quiet on this issue, however.

The point of my rant is...there always seems to be some reason these companies come up with that does nothing for the American citizen. And we were asked (told, pretty much), that we should give our tax money to help these companies out.

Time to call..
:bsflag

 

[smurphy]

We are consumers - we have a choice. Oil companies can charge whatever they want. We don't HAVE to mindlessly do what car commercials say. We can buy more efficient vehicles or find ways to use public transportation.

If I was an oil exec, I'd do exactly what they are doing. It's their job to maximize profits. It's our job to be smarter consumers.

....So I guess that $4 billion we gave the oil companies 2 years ago hasn't helped? :mj07: What a shock. That was absolutely CRIMINAL of our government to do that.

 

[AR182]

We are consumers - we have a choice. Oil companies can charge whatever they want. We don't HAVE to mindlessly do what car commercials say. We can buy more efficient vehicles or find ways to use public transportation.

If I was an oil exec, I'd do exactly what they are doing. It's their job to maximize profits. It's our job to be smarter consumers.

capitalist !!!

 

[StevieD]

capitalist !!!

Interesting. They get tax breaks however they claim it's a free market. Once they take the tax breaks they should be required to give a little back. Gas is a necessity and should be treated as such. Just be thankful the refineries where able to run pretty good in the election season.:shrug:

 

[smurphy]

capitalist !!!

Amazing, given my hippie parents.

 

[The Sponge]

Just get use to it. I said this would happen and until these two assholes are out of office it is here to stay. If Bush senoir would have won a second term we would have seen it then.
Smurph you make it seem easy to just go out and by an expensive Hybrid. Not all people are in the market for a new car and its not that easy to get one. I do everything i possible can do to pay the least i can to these assholes but when the prices just keep climbing its hard to do. Im thinking about going with a solar hot water heater but its over 2 grand compared to about 300 for a regular one. sometimes i think the gas companies own the solar companies. I think by the time my heater starts paying off i might have to get a new one. Those Lightbulbs are nice to. I havent had one last over two years but they are supposed to last seven. How do i go back to home depot and demand a new bulb from a three pack? Especially when it cost me six bucks in gas to get there.:shrug: I should go move to vegas where at least electricity is cheap because they use the Hoover dam to juice up the town. My uncle pays piss out there but im sure that will change.

 

[AR182]

Interesting. They get tax breaks however they claim it's a free market. Once they take the tax breaks they should be required to give a little back. Gas is a necessity and should be treated as such. Just be thankful the refineries where able to run pretty good in the election season.:shrug:

stevie...

i was only kidding with my capitalist son...

i'm very anti-oil companies & anti-airline companies. i don't believe businesses should get preferrential treatment over other businesses.

 

[The Sponge]

Interesting. They get tax breaks however they claim it's a free market. Once they take the tax breaks they should be required to give a little back. Gas is a necessity and should be treated as such. Just be thankful the refineries where able to run pretty good in the election season.:shrug:

Not sure why you think there was manipulation of gas prices during the election. Kinda sounds like a conspiracy theory to me there Stevie. Im sure DTB and Weasal have a perfect explanation for this. The way they think im sure they do. The people with and IQ higher than fifty will just shake their heads in disbelief.

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Sheez I thought the new congress had the answer for high gas prices--on 2nd thought they really didn't have any answers only bitches-- which you will find doesn't help much.

Don't like high gas prices either but could be worse--look what would happen if they increase taxes on gas and companies as some want to do---



City Effective Date Price in USD
Regular/Gallon
Nation City Price
UK TEESIDE $5.64
HONG KONG HONG KONG $5.62
UK MILFORD HAVEN $5.56
UK READING $5.56
UK NORWICH $5.54
GERMANY FRANKFURT $5.29
DENMARK COPENHAGEN $5.08
NORWAY STAVANGER $5.07
NORWAY OSLO $4.93
ITALY ROME $4.86
TURKEY ISTANBUL $4.85
PORTUGAL LISBON $4.80
KOREA SEOUL $4.71
SWITZERLAND GENEVA $4.56
KOREA KOJE/OKPO $4.53
AUSTRIA VIENNA $4.50
CROATIA ZAGREB $4.32
JAPAN TOKYO $3.84
AUSTRALIA SYDNEY $2.63

I filled up couple of hours ago--$2.82

 

[Eddie Haskell]

Yeah, Wayne, we're just lucky here in the good ole USA with Bush and company making sure that teh oil companies score record profits. How bout some caps on them??? I guess in your mind we only have litigation crisis not oil crisis.

Eddie

 

[amhlilhaus]

do any of you guys who hate the oil companies profits know what they do with them?

they find new oil dipshits.

and it's the DEMOCRATS who continually block any efforts to build new refineries, thank enviromentalist for that, if they have their way we'll be using horses and buggies to get around.

 

[StevieD]

Sheez I thought the new congress had the answer for high gas prices--on 2nd thought they really didn't have any answers only bitches-- which you will find doesn't help much.

Don't like high gas prices either but could be worse--look what would happen if they increase taxes on gas and companies as some want to do---



City Effective Date Price in USD
Regular/Gallon
Nation City Price
UK TEESIDE $5.64
HONG KONG HONG KONG $5.62
UK MILFORD HAVEN $5.56
UK READING $5.56
UK NORWICH $5.54
GERMANY FRANKFURT $5.29
DENMARK COPENHAGEN $5.08
NORWAY STAVANGER $5.07
NORWAY OSLO $4.93
ITALY ROME $4.86
TURKEY ISTANBUL $4.85
PORTUGAL LISBON $4.80
KOREA SEOUL $4.71
SWITZERLAND GENEVA $4.56
KOREA KOJE/OKPO $4.53
AUSTRIA VIENNA $4.50
CROATIA ZAGREB $4.32
JAPAN TOKYO $3.84
AUSTRALIA SYDNEY $2.63

I filled up couple of hours ago--$2.82

Wayne, at least the money isn't going in some CEO's pocket, I wouldn't mind paying a higher gas tax. I would assume it would go to maintain the roads and why shouldn't those that use the roads pay for them?

 

[bjfinste]

Yeah, Wayne, we're just lucky here in the good ole USA with Bush and company making sure that teh oil companies score record profits. How bout some caps on them??? I guess in your mind we only have litigation crisis not oil crisis.

Eddie

You have a better chance of getting DTB to say that he likes Clinton than to answer that question straight out. He'll find some crazy way to spin it.

Just like Freeze... "LEFTISTS, SOCIALISTS!!! ..... we need to restrict the money lawyers can make with tort reform." I guess labels only matter for certain people. And I guess socialism is only bad for certain industries.

 

[The Wizard]

Fellas,
I got several emails talking about the national "gas-out" scheduled for May 15th. Here is information below;

NO GAS.....on May 15th

In April 1997, there was a gas-out conducted nationwide in protest of high gas prices. Gasoline prices dropped 30 cents a gallon overnight.

On May 15th 2007, all internet users are asked to not go to a gas station and pump gas in protest of high gas prices. Gas is now over $3.00 a gallon in most places.

There are 73,000,000+ American members currently on the internet network, and the average car takes about $30 to $50 dollars to fill up.

If all users did not go to the pumps on the 15th, it would take $2,292,000,000.00(thats almost 3 BILLION) out of the oil companies pockets for just one day, so please do not go to the gas station on May 15th and lets try to put a dent in the middle eastern oil industry for at least one day.

If you agree( and I cant see why you wouldnt), resend this to everyone on your contact list with it saying " Dont pump gas on May 15th".



By golly, I WILL NOT go get gas on May 15th and I encourage you to do the same.

 

[Eddie Haskell]

Amlilhaus:

Still believe in trickle down, heh. Its dipsticks like you who don't believe in the destruction to the environment by the oil companies that are screwing us all. Look liilminion, there profits should be invested (heavily) in alternative energy. Until they find a way to rape the public by using wind mills and solar panels, they will continue to sink there $ into renewing the tried and true profit maker, oil.

Corporate america at its best. Profit for the few, screw the many. You are a dumb ass.

Eddie

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Amlilhaus:

Still believe in trickle down, heh. Its dipsticks like you who don't believe in the destruction to the environment by the oil companies that are screwing us all. Look liilminion, there profits should be invested (heavily) in alternative energy. Until they find a way to rape the public by using wind mills and solar panels, they will continue to sink there $ into renewing the tried and true profit maker, oil.

Corporate america at its best. Profit for the few, screw the many. You are a dumb ass.

Eddie

Profits for the few--maybe with your clientel Edward who depend on lawsuits and lotteries for the "American Dream"

--but you might be surprised that there is actual an element in our society that works for these companies--and have 401Ks or actually invest in these companies--and millions have made healthy profits along with companies on the coatail of best market run in 80 years--


"LONDON (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stock futures fell Tuesday as investors turned cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy setting meeting, dampening hopes that the Dow Jones Industrials Average can break an 80-year old winning run."


--Somethings never change--those that work-save and capilize on good earnings and growth--are exuberant and those that fail to-- bitch because they didn't.

---I find it ironic that someone who advocates a person who puts coffee in their lap--drives over speed bump--and gets burnt is not at fault

--calls others a dumb ass

 

[Chadman]

do any of you guys who hate the oil companies profits know what they do with them?

they find new oil dipshits.

and it's the DEMOCRATS who continually block any efforts to build new refineries, thank enviromentalist for that, if they have their way we'll be using horses and buggies to get around.

Dipshits? Well, at least you now have my interest. Please enlighten us, oh wise one, with the listings of new oil found by the oil company profits of the past few months. Or any month, for that matter.

I've consistently seen this theme of the democrats blocking refineries from being built. Perhaps you can share some examples? I know the most of the refineries that have been shut down were done BY the oil companies, who were not able to produce positive stock prices for shareholders and used the closure of refineries to help the bottom line. Somehow, I doubt they are rushing to open up new ones with all this historical profit taking, considering the ones they have now are not even operating at full capacity - about 20% down at last report. Maybe you know something other than republican talking points to back up your claims?

I agree that many democrats are against drilling in preserved federal lands - one of the main reasons is that they are asked to vote for giving those federal lands (our protected lands) to oil companies for their uses. Not sure why that should happen...doesn't happen often with other types of private business. Maybe you'd give up some of your land to an oil company, for the good of the cause? Somehow, I doubt that would be cool with you, Mr. Visionary. I also know that when this was proposed in 2005 that Stevens from Alaska attached the policy to the largest defense spending bill in history...I guess he didn't think it worthy of standing alone and tried once again to make America pay to help out his state (and supporters) financially (remember pork, conservatives?).

For the record, I am not firmly against drilling in Alaska, purely from a need standpoint. The thing is, Americans will only benefit from this if the oil companies decide to help us out. And from what I've seen over the past few months, I can't think that is a good bet.

 

[Eddie Haskell]

Wayne, true to form.

I'm well aware there is an element of our society that works for the oil companies. I also well aware that there is an element of our society that works for banks and insurance companies. I'm sure that this element of society is doing quite well with there bmw's, lexus, mercedes and mcmansions in the suburbs.

I'm sure the hundreds of thousands of dead, dying and severly injured Iraqis are happy for them too. I'm sure the tens of thousands severly injured American soldiers hope they enjoy there yellow tail and martinis this weekend while the treatment centers they are in fighting for "freedom" go understaffed and undersupplied.

I have no problem with working/saving to better ones self. It's just when you have a corrupt administration that believes in corporate welfare, allows banks to charge 30% interest on credit cards, makes it difficult to file bankruptcy, takes away personal freedoms by scarring everyone then hugs the countrymen of those who flew planes into buildings, one's got to wonder.

You see Wayne, many of us scumbags really want to work/save etc. We just want to do it on an even playing field. We don't want to have to pay $3.00+ for a gallon of gas. We don't want to pay exorbitant amounts for prescriptions. We don't want our jobs going to Mexico.

All in the name of profit for your friends the oil companies, pharmaceutical companies and the rest of corporate america. That is not the way this country was suppose to work. Greedy, aggressive people control puppets in the white house and congress. We must change the election laws.

Eddie

 

[Chadman]

Forgot one thing...didn't the republicans have control of both legislative bodies and the White House for a while? And they didn't make this happen? Hmm...interesting. Dems were to blame, though, right?

 

[The Sponge]

do any of you guys who hate the oil companies profits know what they do with them?

they find new oil dipshits.

and it's the DEMOCRATS who continually block any efforts to build new refineries, thank enviromentalist for that, if they have their way we'll be using horses and buggies to get around.

Just wondering if you and Hedgehog get your news from the same sources?:com: