Don't blame the oil companies. The blame belongs with the speculators and the weak dollar. I have heard that they make only 9 cents on a gallon of gasoline.
Corky, Gracie, and the Herd
HR Imperial DP
Jeep Liberty
You aren't going to like my reply - but the fuel companies (ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, etc.) only realize a 7 to 8 percent profit off the price we pay at the pumps. That is seven to eight percent they have to build new refineries (if they could get a permit from the Federal Gov't to even build one, let alone expand capacity.) That is a seven to eight percent profit they have to develop new oil/gas fields and fund their exploration efforts (if they can even do THAT). That is seven to eight percent they have to dedicate to research and development - i.e. renewable fuel sources and alternate energy projects. That is also seven to eight percent in profits which a great many Americans enjoy through their 401K and IRA retirement accounts. Oh yea...and seven to eight percent to pay the more than 40% that the Federal Government takes from them in taxes already.
What has us over the literal barrel is first and foremost - the cost of a barrel of oil. Where is the greater majority of this oil? In the Middle East. Do you think the oil companies just go over there and take what they want? Nope - they have to pay some Middle Eastern sheik (OPEC) for the oil removed from their ground...even though all the infrastructure was built and maintained by the very companies you want to seize profits from.
Also blame the speculators and hedge funds who drive up the price of a barrel of oil every time some wild eyed dictator so much as sneezes.
Did you know the Russians are horizontal drilling into what SHOULD be American oil fields off the coast of Alaska and into ANWAR? Did you know the Chinese are doing the same? Did you know the Venezuelans in conjunction with the Cubans are horizontal drilling into American oil fields off the Gulf of Mexico?
We are being robbed blind by the World and our Government is too short sighted to do anything about it. Until the people in this country educate themselves on what is REALLY going on in the World and demand APPROPRIATE action from Congress regarding our energy needs and policies, nothing will change.
No, I do not work for big oil - just a thinking person living in South Texas who too is tired of paying high gas prices but cares to research herself for the truth.
ES4Me, DH....and crew!
07 MaxLite 30BHS
06 Chevy Silverado 2500HD, 6.0 L/4.10, 4x4 CC
Equal-izer and Prodigy keeping it all in check!
happyeaglesfan wrote: Wehren,
I hear ya. In a country where the government can set the price for a gallon of milk and make it hard for dairy farmers to make a decent living, but the big oil companies are making billions in profit. I do not want to hear about supply and demand. There is always a demand for Milk and yet it has remained at the Government set price?
This proposed tax vacation is not going to help anyone, it just means it will hurt us even more when the vacation is over.
Have you bought a gallon of milk lately? It's as much as gas, and it's not being shipped from the other side of the world, refined, and taxed up the wazzooo.....so why aren't we complaining about the price of milk?
Bill, Claudia, and the Paps
DH Bill / DW Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris The Paps! Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie and Annie
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April Fools Day, 2008 The Pets
Wehren wrote: Why aren't we going after the fuel companies? Jim
What do you suggest? Pitchforks, tar and feathers, pistols at fifty paces?
Stop buying their product, that is the only thing that can have much affect.
If you mean get the government to impose sanctions, yeah history shows that works real well. Here is how it will work; the government waits until it is really too late and then will step in with increased taxes and controls. The taxes and controls will result in artificially lower prices briefly and then ultimately increased prices and shortages. Final result will be that you cannot afford the fuel that is not available even if you could.
Don't you realize the government is actually responsible for this? Due to bad monetary policy and a war we cannot pay for without borrowing the money from China, the dollar is in a nosedive around the world.
Tim
"Okay, I admit it, the only thing I'm really good at is being me."
How about some blame for the groups that sue at the drop of a hat anytime corporations try to develop any domestic sources of energy other than wind or solar?
We have lots of oil and oil shale. Is it easy or cheap to extract? Nope. I'm not sure why any oil company would bother putting any effort out to develop any domestic energy when a small army of lawyers are waiting to pounce.
Let me know when that wind powered RV hits the market.
ES4Me wrote: You aren't going to like my reply - but the fuel companies (ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, etc.) only realize a 7 to 8 percent profit off the price we pay at the pumps.
I was going to joke, and say that all those "7 to 8 percent profits" add up to about 70% but I'm in agreement with you.
I did work for an oil company....the BIG one, Exxon, and still work for a transport company that moves millions of gallons of gasoline on a daily basis. We have to remember that these oil companies are paying about $120/barrel for crude oil. There are 42 gallons/barrel, so right off the start, they are at $2.86/gal. Then there is refining, transportation, marketing, resale, and of course the biggest chunk TAXES. Here in NC, we're paying about $0.85/gallon in taxes to the state and Feds.
OK, I realize that a gallon of crude doesn't make a gallon of gasoline, but it should also be noted, that there are a lot of hands out for payment along the way, from the time that oil is pumped into a n oil tanker on the other side of the planet. Most of the gas stations are making a few cents/gal. Their money is made in repairs and lately, in the convenience stores that sell soda, beer, etc. There is more of a profit from a bottle of Dr. Pepper than there is on a gallon of gas.....but they need the gas to bring you in.
The refineries and oil companies aren't making huge profits, based on percentages....they make huge profits, based on the quantity of fuels and other products that we buy.....sell a few billion gallons at pennies on the dollar, and you still make millions.....do it with a few TRILLION gallons, and you're making Billions.
As a stock holder, I'm sorry that gas is so expensive, but also like that the companies I invest in, are making profits....that is why I invested!
I guess the real question is...who is willing to make less money? Are you willing to turn down that next pay raise, so that the company you work for can charge less for their products, so that the system trickles back down, and eventually gas prices drop???? Didn't think so??
I just don't care. I worry about things I can control.
Happy camping!!! See ya'll down the road!!!
AIR FORCE RETIRED "EITHER LEAD,FOLLLOW,OR GET OUT OF MY WAY"!
2006 GMC 3500 SLT CC DRW 4X4 D/A LBZ,PREDATOR & FS2500 OIL FILTER
2004 HR PRESIDENTIAL 30 SCD 5'ER.
CHEROKEE & CHEYENNE, MINI DOXIE'S
LOADED LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN, FLYIN LIKE A JET PLANE!!
ES4me....you get it, I wish more people would...
Drill the oil under our feet.....That is what the American People should demand, and do it now....
Time for a TEXAS TEA PARTY.....
screw all the global warming fanatics.....
Yes - let's drill for the oil under our feet before the Russians, Chinese and others that are laughing at us siphon it all away. It is time for a good old Texas Tea Party. The economy is absolutely BOOMING down here while the rest of the country suffers. Why is that? Golly gee whiz...the OIL INDUSTRY. It is profitable again to drill for our own oil. Let's build more refineries! The technology has changed greatly since the last one was built in this country (in the 70's!!) and the process is cleaned up. While we are drilling and refining our own oil, we can get down to the real work of developing alternate fuel sources for reliable sustainability.
Let's keep Americans working! That way, we can afford to buy more American made RV's and keep camping!
Anyone towing with the new hybrid Tahoe???
ES4Me, DH....and crew!
07 MaxLite 30BHS
06 Chevy Silverado 2500HD, 6.0 L/4.10, 4x4 CC
Equal-izer and Prodigy keeping it all in check!
happyeaglesfan wrote: Wehren,
I hear ya. In a country where the government can set the price for a gallon of milk and make it hard for dairy farmers to make a decent living, but the big oil companies are making billions in profit. I do not want to hear about supply and demand. There is always a demand for Milk and yet it has remained at the Government set price?
This proposed tax vacation is not going to help anyone, it just means it will hurt us even more when the vacation is over.
Have you bought a gallon of milk lately? It's as much as gas, and it's not being shipped from the other side of the world, refined, and taxed up the wazzooo.....so why aren't we complaining about the price of milk?
Bill, Claudia, and the Paps
Totally missed the point!
The point is the Government can control the price of one product and not of another product.
2006 CHEVY 2500HD 6.0L 4.10 Ext Cab
Wife, 3 kids (boys... 6 month old, 5 year old, and 6 year old), and our dog RIGZ.
Offline
It's as much as gas, and it's not being shipped from the other side of the world, refined, and taxed up the wazzooo.....so why aren't we complaining about the price of milk? 
Online
