gas or food?

[nehemiah]

:scratch:

why are gas prices so high again?

Jan. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's biggest oil company, said fourth-quarter profit rose 27 percent on surging energy prices to a record $10.7 billion, capping the most profitable year for any company in U.S. history.

Net income climbed to $1.71 a share from $8.42 billion, or $1.44 a share, a year earlier, the Irving, Texas-based company said today in a statement. Excluding a gain from a lawsuit, profit was $1.65 a share, 21 cents higher than the average estimate from 22 analysts in a Thomson Financial survey.

Revenue rose 20 percent to $99.7 billion as rising demand and hurricanes lifted prices for crude oil, natural gas and gasoline. The average U.S. profit on refining crude into gasoline and other fuels widened to a record of almost $11 per barrel processed, based on futures prices.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=alkwRdmxtzsk&refer=us

[sukie]

Because the big 5 somehow all manage to set the exact same pricing... It's magical and no one knows who or how it happens.

[anEinherjer]

Oh joy, here come the gas price conspiracy theories again.

Nehe, I thought you were a bleeding heart - aren't high prices good as an incentive for people to drive less / save the environment?

[nehemiah]

Oh joy, here come the gas price conspiracy theories again.

Nehe, I thought you were a bleeding heart - aren't high prices good as an incentive for people to drive less / save the environment?o. i forgot to prepare for libertarian horse manure.

so, let us ask ayn rand - is price gouging okay?

[Billsman]

I had food that gave me gas.

[Jro]

best run company in the world. we should give them praise not fault.

I wish all companies made this much money. Exxon is also a good company to work for.

[sukie]

I guess if you provide a commodity you should be government run. regardless of that commodity.

[Jro]

If 100 years ago someone posted "mom and pop store makes record profit" it would be considered a good story. Now it's like the end of the world for the liberals.

[sukie]

because moderately priced gasoline is obviously a right.

[nehemiah]

:rofl:

it's "talking point tennis"... your serve, jro!

:frank:

[Jro]

Ok.

How much do you think gas should cost? and should Exxon be capped by the government in regards to how much profit they can earn? And if Nike starts to make a record profit is it reasonable for me to ask the government to step in and control the price of the new air jordan's? I mean they do have my name on em.

[anEinherjer]

o. i forgot to prepare for libertarian horse manure.

so, let us ask ayn rand - is price gouging okay?

:rofl:

Come on man, I'm serious. Higher prices DO lead to changes in behavior (the 95 corridor in VA got much more reasonable when the prices spiked in September). High prices WILL mean a shift in buying from SUV to smaller cars - we're seeing it already.

So go ahead and complain that they're making profits (and throw your own horse manure around claiming that it's "food or gas". Hyperbole feels good.), but realize that your anti-SUV dream is starting to come true thanks to the price pressure.

For the record: price gouging is NOT okay - price gouging is a form of fraud, essentially the only non-violent crime I have a problem with. I'm not at all convinced we're seeing actual price gouging here, though, except perhaps by OPEC.

[Canisius85]

Ok.

How much do you think gas should cost? and should Exxon be capped by the government in regards to how much profit they can earn? And if Nike starts to make a record profit is it reasonable for me to ask the government to step in and control the price of the new air jordan's? I mean they do have my name on em.

Athletic shoes aren't a national security issue.

[anEinherjer]

Wait, and how much I have to pay to commute / go to the grocery store IS a national security issue??

[Canisius85]

It will be when the planes and trucks that bring the food to your convenience store no longer can.

[Woody]

I'll take gas. Road kill is not only free, it's packed with sweet nutrients. :niterider

[BillsFan0688]

Ok.

How much do you think gas should cost? and should Exxon be capped by the government in regards to how much profit they can earn? And if Nike starts to make a record profit is it reasonable for me to ask the government to step in and control the price of the new air jordan's? I mean they do have my name on em.

Our economy doesn't depend on new Jordans but it does however depend largely on fuel. When gas plays such an important role in our lifestyle and economy, gas companies such as Exxon should be held accountable for charging the unnecessarily high prices.

[BillsFan0688]

Wait, and how much I have to pay to commute / go to the grocery store IS a national security issue??

Don't forget that you will also be paying more for the items at the grocery store since it costs the trucking compaines more to ship the goods. The effect of high prices goes a lot deeper than just at the gas pump.

Just for the record, if prices are high for a reason such as a national disaster or something along those lines thats fine, but when prices are high because they can get away with it something needs to change And I think that this spike in prices has a lot more to do with the latter.

For example, at one of the exits off I-95 by my house, there are 2 gas stations on each side of the exit where you can't see what the other 2 are charging from the ramp. One pair will be charging around 2.35 and the other pair will be charging about 2.26. But they can get away with it since you can't see what the other 2 are charging from the ramp. It's shit like that, that pisses me off. IMO, they're just taking advantage of the consumer.

[Canisius85]

It's not just gasoline either.

It's home heating oil....and it's everything made from petrolium, specifically plastic.

Think of all the things in your domicile that are made of plastic.

And what's Detroit's response?

A new line of 400 hp sportscars.

It staggers the imagination.

[K-Gun]

Just think about how many dead A-Rabs we got to kill for them there prices. Makes it almost worth it.

[anEinherjer]

Don't forget that you will also be paying more for the items at the grocery store since it costs the trucking compaines more to ship the goods. The effect of high prices goes a lot deeper than just at the gas pump.

And this makes it a national security issue how?

Just for the record, if prices are high for a reason such as a national disaster or something along those lines thats fine, but when prices are high because they can get away with it something needs to change And I think that this spike in prices has a lot more to do with the latter.

Fine, they can "get away with it". What about other industries? Other products? Apple can "get away with" charging high margins on their gear because people will pay the price. I suppose you'll come back with the old "well people can't live without gas" argument but... really?

For example, at one of the exits off I-95 by my house, there are 2 gas stations on each side of the exit where you can't see what the other 2 are charging from the ramp. One pair will be charging around 2.35 and the other pair will be charging about 2.26. But they can get away with it since you can't see what the other 2 are charging from the ramp. It's shit like that, that pisses me off. IMO, they're just taking advantage of the consumer.

Really? Are you sure they're just doing it to "stick it to you"? Are you sure that they don't have completely different volumes on a weekly basis? Different volumes meaning they get different costs from their wholesalers? Supply and demand and all that? I guess it's easier to just assume they're giving it you in the ass. :)

By the way - where on I-95? I'm just off ex 152 in VA, and we're paying around $2.33 down by us.

Wait never mind, you mention Stafford... 2 different sides of 95... sounds like exit 140 to me. :D

[BillsFan0688]

I'm not saying that it is a national security issue. I just think that the price of gas has a much greater effect on everyone than the price of a pair of sneakers. And today at this moment we can't live without gas.

It seems pretty obvious to me that they are "just giving it to me in the ass" when it's 4 different companies and the prices there are the way that they are.

Yep, exit 140.

[nehemiah]

"addicted to oil"?! :rofl:

he's an oil man - the mother****ing pusher man, george w bush.

oy vey.

[nehemiah]

oil is a national security issue - it's the only reason we invaded iraq.

2+2 does equal 4. yay!

[sukie]

"addicted to oil"?! :rofl:

he's an oil man - the mother****ing pusher man, george w bush.

oy vey.
And Detroit produces the "rolling papers".

[Jro]

Athletic shoes aren't a national security issue.
Gas dosn't have to be either.

[Canisius85]

Gas dosn't have to be either.

But it is...

[Jro]

but it's not a public company.

[Canisius85]

Irrelevant.

Its the commodity that is the issue, not the provider.

[Jro]

but your trying to make it government controlled.

[Canisius85]

It should be...it's a national security issue.

[sukie]

So the government should also be in charge of electricity and food then. Necessary commodities.

[Canisius85]

They already are.

It's called a public service commission.

[sukie]

Oh yeah... the commish that has yet to turn down a rate increase.

[Canisius85]

They (Nimo, NYSEG, etc...) are allowed reasonable rate increases at various intervals, much the way an employee is given cost of living increases in their paycheck.

Gas companies last summer were raising prices daily, sometimes, while people were at the pump filling up.