Gas Prices #!@$$&*+!!

[JP4RNR]

The fact that we have an administration in bed with the oil companies does not help either. I beleive and maybe I am naive that will see cheaper gas prices with a new president in the White House.
But before this happens recession here we come. Some say the recession is here already

 

[Falls]

Re: I paid Much less

I Live In Venezuela And the gallon is 13 cents,. I filled up the my 4runner with $2.99.

I don't like you !!!!!!!!!!!




Just kiddin man , thats insane .13 per gallon. All I can say is good for you and glad you don't have to deal with our prices

 

[thrak]

I think its funny how many people like to blame Pres. Bush...

What do you expect the next Pres to do to lower gas prices? If a Dem gets elected, they'll increase the taxes on gas to lower consumption.. hmm.. higher prices. McCain? I doubt he'll be able to do anything to lower prices...

We need to drill for our own oil on our own land, and tell OPEC to shove off. Once we do that, and build new refineries we can control our own supply. But with the environmental nazi's in everyone's pocket, no politician will dare risk voting on something that they oppse.

The system is so effed up.

 

[majewski]

Gas prices

I think its funny how many people like to blame Pres. Bush...

Thanks, thrak, for being at least one voice of reason. We live in a free market economy, sometimes painfully, and the president has virtually no control over the market price of gas. This is from yesterday's AP newswire: "Crude prices spiked above $102 a barrel for the first time yesterday, then retreated (to $99) after the government reported that the nation is greased with more oil and gasoline than expected"

I don't fully understand the whole economics of it either, but despite that report, oil climbed to $103 overnight anyway because "investors" plowed more money into energy futures to hedge against inflation.

What I do understand is this:

• China and India are now increasing world demand way more than OUR love for SUVs and trucks
• The price of oil is not ONLY driven by a supply and demand model, but also as stated above is a "tool" for the "investors" that can REALLY f with the price of oil
• Our information society can also be blamed. Every time a saudi sheik farts in the wrong key, the press picks it up, the "investors" hear about it, and the price of a barrel of oil rises a buck!

What I really wish for most of all (besides the $0.13 cents a gallon Mr Venezuela is paying) is that the bark-humping, liberal, conspiracy theorists would quit blaming Bush for being "in bed with" his oil buddies. C'mon folks, do you really think George finished his after-dinner shot of Jim Beam last night, called the ranch next door and said "Hey, I saw oil closed under a hundred bucks a barrel today. Whatta ya say we F with everybody and make it $103 when they wake up tomorrow?!"

Get real guys. There's more at play here than that.

 

[JP4RNR]

I think its funny how many people like to blame Pres. Bush...

What do you expect the next Pres to do to lower gas prices? If a Dem gets elected, they'll increase the taxes on gas to lower consumption.. hmm.. higher prices. McCain? I doubt he'll be able to do anything to lower prices...

We need to drill for our own oil on our own land, and tell OPEC to shove off. Once we do that, and build new refineries we can control our own supply. But with the environmental nazi's in everyone's pocket, no politician will dare risk voting on something that they oppse.

The system is so effed up.

Here are some of the reasons why gas is high

I don't expect or think the next president will have anything to do with lowering gas prices. I just think this president has conflicts of interest with Oil and the american public.

Indirectly, Bush has influenced the price of gas in that because he is so hated by the president from Valenzuela and other leaders around the world that the president from Valenzuela is refusing to sell oil to Exxon which cuts off a significant amount of supply for the U.S to consume. Not having this supply drives up prices

The oil Industry is the only industry that can create it's own shortages by shutting down too many refineries for "Maintenance" to drive up the demand. Oil companies in recent years have made record profits.

If the world price is $102 barrel for oil than other local refineries can charge $102 barrel for their oil production. That's why even if you live in a state with many refineries like california, gas is not cheaper than other states. Local refineries can charge world price of $102 even if it only cost them about $20 a barrel to produce. Their is no law to protect the consumer from gouging. In california virtually none of the oil refined for gasoline comes from the middle east but yet local refineries charge the "world" price dictated by the middle east.

 

[Thai]

Indirectly, Bush has influenced the price of gas in that because he is so hated by the president from Valenzuela

So, are you saying that President Bush should get into bed with that freaking crazy nut so that you can get cheaper gas prices??!!

 

[jharris2]

... Valenzuela ...

Wasn't he a pitcher for the Dodgers some years ago?

 

[Thai]

I think that the gas prices will never go down to 1.00/gallon. However, at the same time, i think that there are too many drama queens on the news. Just a year or two ago, many of these drama queen news people predicted that gas prices will go up to $5/gallon last year. I think that much of this talk is sensationalism by the media. I will believe $4/gallon when i see it...i am not saying that it won't happen, but i am a lot more distrustful of these "predictions" after what i have seen the past 2-3 years.

And if gas prices do skyrocket, then my G500 will be a nice living room center piece!

 

[Jeff Kleb]

Fuel Prices


A few things should be considered here. These are my comments and observations. Please don't take it too seriously, as my posts are rated "H" -- meaning that a sense of humor is necessary.
:bigok:

1. The "market" price for oil (regardless of its source) is largely driven by supply and demand. So long as the supply remains somewhat stagnant and demand increases - Voila! - temporary scarcity will cause the price to rise. Toyota can sell every Prius they can build, but it doesn't change the fact that oil is the engine of our economy in the Western world.

2. Increased world demand, largely from India, China and other such places that are rapidly industrializing, as well as our own thirsty vehicles & machinery, will mean that more users are competing for a product from the same number of suppliers/sources. Econ 101 in action, folks.

3. Refining capacity has not kept up with demand, either. All the crude oil we can pump out of the ground is useless until it is refined into the final petroleum product (gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, etc., etc.). Since we have not built a refinery in this country since the Carter administration and our population has grown by more than 100 million, it doesn't take a Harvard graduate to figure out that shortages or supply problems are inevitable.

4. Energy policy and environmental regulations sound noble and serve a greater cause, but end up impeding the flow of petrol at the best price possible. We now have some 120+ blends and grades of fuel in the Eastern US alone; often with adjacent counties unable to use fuel from the same tanker truck. (My county is required to use RFG, but the one to the south of us is not.) Not only is this confusing and breeds inefficiency, but it adds to the consumer price paid at the pump.

5. Ethanol cannot be piped, as it chemically attracts water; and thus must be "trucked" from the big tanks to the little ones. This adds to the cost and often reduces the "BTU content" of unleaded gasoline (and reduces miles per gallon somewhat). Ethanol is a required ingredient in oxygenated fuel sold here in VA and in other regions as well. (Using corn as an ingredient to manufacture ethanol has also affected food prices, but that is another issue for another day.)

6. Taxes have gone up sharply in recent years, and more hikes are on the way. Since politicians like to play the "shell game" with fuel taxes and excise taxes, it is easy for them to fool the public into thinking that the government (state & federal) don't have enough money to build and maintain roads. Of course, they don't tell you that the money already collected has been mis-allocated to other pet projects that buy them more votes. They've been so successful here in VA that most of the sheeple now think that toll roads are the answer; even though it is typically just a way that they can tax us twice for the same thing! If you think there is really a "highway trust fund" out there somewhere, you probably believe that Social Security is solvent and that the Easter Bunny will visit your house in a few weeks.
:bash:

7. In my state, 36 cents of every gallon goes to taxes - for both the state & federal hit. Everyone complains (rightfully so in most cases) about the profits that oil companies might make, but the bureaucrats make much more - without having to drill for a single drop of oil. Not only that, but whatever they make off a gallon is just never enough to satisfy their thirst for your hard-earned money.

8. While it is fun to hear all of us whine about how expensive gasoline is, it is ironic that many of the same chaps complaining about $3 per gallon fuel will spend $1.50 for a quart of bottled tap water. When they finish with that, they'll drive to the local movie house and drop $9 or $10 for a movie and $5 for a bucket of popcorn that probably cost a quarter to make.

9. I have not noticed any decrease at all in the congestion or number of cars on the highway. In fact, I believe it has gotten worse. My wish was that higher fuel prices would force some of the dolts out there to stay at home (and off the road & out of the way), but that has not come to fruition. Car-pooling just doesn't seem to have the appeal it once did, and mass transit is not working as well as the central planners thought it would. (BTW, I would love to be able to ride a bus to work....but where I live and my work schedule have eliminated that possibility.)

10. Unfortunately, I think things will have to get a lot worse before it gets better. Since it is virtually impossible for us to reduce demand and still have a growing economy, we are going to have to find some way of increasing our available supply. Alternative fuels sound lovely in theory, but are more of a long-term supplement to gasoline & diesel fuel - rather than a replacement.

People are probably not going to drive less, but will cut back on other things (dining out, new car, new appliances, vacations, etc., etc.) in their lives. Of course, this has a huge potential to wreak havoc on other sectors of the economy. We won't know for sure until it happens, though.


Gasoline and diesel fuel might cost a lot right now, but at least we have not run into a shortage. Those of us who were around in the 1970s don't want to see gas lines ever again! If some in Washington get their way, though, such a thing just might happen. We cannot escape this imbroglio (arguably caused by the government in the first place) with yet more government regulation.



Okay, those are some "off the cuff" thoughts as I come down off of a caffeine-fueled rant. Feel free to chime in, folks.
:biggrin2:

 

[KellyJ]

My suggestion: Drill in Alaska.

 

[00328]

Just wait and see what happens when/if a Dem gets into office.
Not only WILL they raise the taxes on a gal. of gas, but also on a whole host of other things.
For instance: if you happen to own a vehicle that gets less than 20 mpg, expect a federal tax (read penalty) tacked onto your state registration/plates.
Just wait and see the kind of crap they come up with.

 

[JP4RNR]

So, are you saying that President Bush should get into bed with that freaking crazy nut so that you can get cheaper gas prices??!!

No What I am saying is we need a President that America and the world respect. I have travelled the world and have been to other countries and we are not looked upon with the respect and admiration we once had. I am neither democrat nor republican. I am an american that looks at the issues.

Political parties to me are like urban gangs you are either red or blue or a crip or a blood. Wear the wrong color and your character is assinated.

Let's get back to what we have in common. Last I checked this was a 4Runner Enthusiast board. Let's keep it that way.

 

[Thai]

Let's get back to what we have in common. Last I checked this was a 4Runner Enthusiast board. Let's keep it that way.

I don't think that was ever in question. You brought up a point that seemed odd in my opinion...so, i had to highlight it and respond. If you did not want this to be political, then you should have not stated what you wrote.

 

[jrs2]

Gas prices are going up for the same reason everything else is going up. The dollar isn't worth shit anymore.

Have you noticed food prices lately? Have you been to Walmart lately? Almost everything there has gone up in price in the last couple months.

Checked the price of gold and silver lately?
I bought a few oz's of gold about a year ago. If I sold now I'd make 50% profit. A bit better than my 401k has done.

 

[kimboy]

Talking about supply and demand.

Look what happens when uranium is over produced... the price tumbles.

 

[charlier180]

Just wait and see what happens when/if a Dem gets into office.
Not only WILL they raise the taxes on a gal. of gas, but also on a whole host of other things.

Interesting that you mention the federal excise tax on fuel.
There was an article in last Sunday's local paper about this tax.
This tax money is used to repair and/or build highways, bridges, etc.
Unfortunately, this fund is BROKE because all the money that comes in is beng spent on repairing the crumbling highways and bridges in this country.

The article talks about how the repairs are falling way behind due to the lack of enough funds.
Apparently this tax has not been raised for a number of years.

 

[00328]

Talking about repairing roads and bridges.
We have a Dem Gov. in CO for the first time in years and years.
What does he want to do? He wants to raise everyones yearly car registration $100. to raise funds to repair roads and bridges.
I'm tellin ya, this is just the start.
These assclowns are goin to come up with all kinds of ways to get in our pockets.

 

[majewski]

HAAA!

My suggestion: Drill in Alaska.

Yeah, not if Stalin...er, I mean not if Hillary or Marx...oh shoot, I mean Obama...yeah, not if either of them take office.

Don't get me wrong, I'm becoming more energy and environment conscious since having a child and all, and I would love to be able to safely convert my 4Runner to run ethanol just as a hedge against a potential price spike, but those two are going to F everything up so bad. We're all going to have to ride unicycles to work.

Seriously, I know there are kits out for $500 that will allow the engine to run E85, but does anyone know of anybody that has modified the fuel system to protect against the corrosive effects of E85?

 

[Even Steven]

I don't know if E85 is even a plausible alternative. From what I've read, your fuel economy will go right into the shitter on E85. I've read that some OEM vehicles set up to run E85 lose nearly 50% of their fuel economy when running E85 compared to regular gasoline.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

E85 IMO is overated and not the answer since the cost of alot of other products will skyrocket and just won't offset the use of E85;you ready for $8/gal milk?

Our goverment needs to research several alternatives instead of just jumping on the first one to come along and to use to help campaigning pursposes and feedign the public exxagerated claims about the future of E85.