OT: Gas prices

[Barb]

Around $3.40 here too, Dave. Luckily we have very short commutes to to work, only about 4 miles.

Try 31 miles each way here.

Same for me. I commute about 25 miles each way. Luckily I work from home 2-3 days a week depending on the boss' travel schedule.

[Daza]

In the U.K. its over 5 quid a gallon, which in your bucks equates to about 11 dollars a gallon!

[StyxCollector]

In the U.K. its over 5 quid a gallon, which in your bucks equates to about 11 dollars a gallon!

Hence my comment earlier.

[Rockindeano]

In the U.K. its over 5 quid a gallon, which in your bucks equates to about 11 dollars a gallon!

Are you drunk? First off, what the fuck is a quid? Secondly, the Pound is not worth more than 2 times the US dollar.

[Behshad]

In the U.K. its over 5 quid a gallon, which in your bucks equates to about 11 dollars a gallon!

Are you drunk? First off, what the fuck is a quid? Secondly, the Pound is not worth more than 2 times the US dollar.

he is not drunk just not with it
a gallon of fuel is about $9.50 (USD),,,,,

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

In the U.K. its over 5 quid a gallon, which in your bucks equates to about 11 dollars a gallon!

Are you drunk? First off, what the fuck is a quid? Secondly, the Pound is not worth more than 2 times the US dollar.

A quid is what the brits call a "buck". It is indeed -believe it or not the exchange rate is 2:1 at the moment 2 pounds = 1 dollar.

[conversationpc]

In the U.K. its over 5 quid a gallon, which in your bucks equates to about 11 dollars a gallon!

Are you drunk? First off, what the fuck is a quid? Secondly, the Pound is not worth more than 2 times the US dollar.

A quid is what the brits call a "buck". It is indeed -believe it or not the exchange rate is 2:1 at the moment 2 pounds = 1 dollar.

Actually, that means it is worth half the U.S. dollar then.

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

In the U.K. its over 5 quid a gallon, which in your bucks equates to about 11 dollars a gallon!

Are you drunk? First off, what the fuck is a quid? Secondly, the Pound is not worth more than 2 times the US dollar.

A quid is what the brits call a "buck". It is indeed -believe it or not the exchange rate is 2:1 at the moment 2 pounds = 1 dollar.

Actually, that means it is worth half the U.S. dollar then.

Hey dont you see my avatar, I went to the University of Minnesota, Logic and Math are two subjects which were not on the curriculum. I never made it big in either subject!!! Indeed, 1 pound equals 2 dollars

[Rip Rokken]

I was shocked to find it $3.49 here yesterday when I went to fill up, and paid $8 more than I ever have filling up my car. Remember a few years ago when everyone was worried about gas hitting $2.00/gal, and how freaked out we all were? And now it's $3.49 (or more, depending on where you are)?

Another example of a problem that could have been addressed long ago being allowed to fester until it's a crisis. We should be drilling for our own oil by now in the Arctic, or even better, should be migrated over to alternative fuel sources. Oops... I forgot... the oil companies and the auto industry would have suffered for doing so, so an earlier fix was out of the question.

[strangegrey]

There was an interesting news segment last night (both on cnn and fox) in that the hedge and derivative activity for oil can be blamed for at least 20 percent of the current price of oil (despite flacid arguments by the hedge fund association to the contrary). I find it hard to believe that speculation of the oil market (which is one of the most volitile markets out there) doesn't affect the price paid at the pump. It's impossible to deny. But you can be your own judge and jury for this.

The interesting thing behind this, is that the hedge/derivative market was deregulated by Hayseed Bush (and an irresponsibly cooperative congress) back in the infancy of his presidency. Paving the way for what is currently 2 billion dollar profit/year for hedge fund managers and disgustingly increased revenues and profits for oil companies. (ExxonMobil, since 2003 has almost doubled its net income and Revenue has increased by over 125 billion!!! )

For those that would argue that taxes are the reason why gas prices is higher....the fact remains that the federal gas tax has been a constant since the early days of the Clinton administration, when we were paying $1.10-1.40 per gallon. coupled with the doubling of profits of most integrated gas companies since 2003, and you get the picture.

Hayseed George created an environment for increased gas prices, partially through deregulating (i.e. allowing) the hedging of oil, the gas companies (most of whom are good buddies with hayseed) made out like bandits...and the average hard working american pays through the nose both at the pump and for goods that have increased in cost due to higher energy prices.

[MJM1959]

Currently one U.S. Dollars = 0.501029 British pounds. The US dollar has gradually been losing value (against the GBP) over the last five years when it was 0.63 of a GBP.

[sadie65]

$3.58 in Southern Illinois

[4everkop]

God, these gas prices really make me want to cry, it is fucking ridiculous.

[Arkansas]

So, tell me what will give?
How high can the prices go before something breaks?
It's not government's job to stop this. It's the consumers.
How do we simply stop driving?

Was telling a friend just the other day, that these new high prices seem to be hurting everything else too. People won't drive across town to a restaurant, or to the movie. We'll cut out all non-necessary driving, which means local economies will slow down. I guess the grocery stores will profit from this because we'll make a greater effort to shop just once rather than several times in a given period. However, goods there will be more expensive too. Was just at a Sam's Club this morning, and the tire jockey there said new updates came in and tires are going up 8%. I guess anything petroleum related will get hit hard.

I often wonder that if big oil sees their ends near, due to the green initiatives and alternative fuel developement, and they're just gouging us to make more money while they can. I suspect that's also why they're not really putting any money into new refineries. I do also wonder though if they're not putting themselves out of business. We, the consumers, will eventually stop buying their products.

But there's the paradox. How do each of us today stop buying gas?


later~

[4everkop]

^ Good question...wish I knew.

[conversationpc]

There was an interesting news segment last night (both on cnn and fox) in that the hedge and derivative activity for oil can be blamed for at least 20 percent of the current price of oil (despite flacid arguments by the hedge fund association to the contrary). I find it hard to believe that speculation of the oil market (which is one of the most volitile markets out there) doesn't affect the price paid at the pump. It's impossible to deny. But you can be your own judge and jury for this.

The interesting thing behind this, is that the hedge/derivative market was deregulated by Hayseed Bush (and an irresponsibly cooperative congress) back in the infancy of his presidency. Paving the way for what is currently 2 billion dollar profit/year for hedge fund managers and disgustingly increased revenues and profits for oil companies. (ExxonMobil, since 2003 has almost doubled its net income and Revenue has increased by over 125 billion!!! )

For those that would argue that taxes are the reason why gas prices is higher....the fact remains that the federal gas tax has been a constant since the early days of the Clinton administration, when we were paying $1.10-1.40 per gallon. coupled with the doubling of profits of most integrated gas companies since 2003, and you get the picture.

Hayseed George created an environment for increased gas prices, partially through deregulating (i.e. allowing) the hedging of oil, the gas companies (most of whom are good buddies with hayseed) made out like bandits...and the average hard working american pays through the nose both at the pump and for goods that have increased in cost due to higher energy prices.

Hayseed? That nickname just isn't working.

[Gibby]

Paid $4.49 today for deisel. Cost me $148 to fill up my truck.

[conversationpc]

Paid $4.49 today for deisel. Cost me $148 to fill up my truck.

See, this is one thing I don't get. Before the last year or two, it seems to me that diesel fuel was always cheaper than regular fuel and, from what I've heard, it's also cheaper to make.

[ttango1]

But that's why I ride one of these sometimes to cut back on car mileage.



Cept' that mine is Spurs Silver & Black

[conversationpc]

But that's why I ride one of these sometimes to cut back on car mileage.



Cept' that mine is Spurs Silver & Black

Too dangerous for my tastes plus they are pretty dorky-looking. Sorry.

[rayzke]

Shiiiiiiiitt... $3.79 here in the Chicago metro. Still $3.29 back home. *Puke*

$3.96 at the Oasis on INT 90 for premium....ick...going to start brown baggin' soon...

Fortunately it's a short drive into DuPage County for me and I can fill up cheaper... I think it was about $3.63 this weekend. Never stop at those damn Oasis places, they jack that shit up like it's nothing.

Agreed! I am in McHenry County at least once a week so I fill up there whether I need it or not....

[sadie65]

Shiiiiiiiitt... $3.79 here in the Chicago metro. Still $3.29 back home. *Puke*

$3.96 at the Oasis on INT 90 for premium....ick...going to start brown baggin' soon...

Fortunately it's a short drive into DuPage County for me and I can fill up cheaper... I think it was about $3.63 this weekend. Never stop at those damn Oasis places, they jack that shit up like it's nothing.

Agreed! I am in McHenry County at least once a week so I fill up there whether I need it or not....

I still own a house there in McHenry county. Cannot wait to visit some friends there in the next month...even with the gas prices.

[Michigan Girl]

But that's why I ride one of these sometimes to cut back on car mileage.



Cept' that mine is Spurs Silver & Black

Now I could get in to one of these (only in PISTONS RED & BLUE...or even MICHIGAN BLUE & GOLD)
I'd just have to attach a flatbed to haul my purse!!!

[Lula]

Nostradingus.

Fixed.

love that sharp mind and quick wit!!

i found a station offering regular at 3.77 which is actually the lowest i've seen in the L.A. area.

[FishinMagician]

im glad i live on campus i dont drive often. it is always a shock when i go to visit home it seems like every time the prices shoot up 30 cents. maybe people will actually start to do something instead of bein little bitches about it. we need some riots and strikes!!!

[frfksakes]

Lol, I was just researching this very thing.
Interesting ie gas prices: 8 years under Clinton, the Nat aver went from 1.04 to 1.37.
Nat aver. on Jan 1 2001 was 1.37 - enter two oil men. Nat aver today is 3.52
Hmmm… .
(I guess on the good side, lol, more people are being forced to use less gas - conserving out of nec. – getting hybrids, etc. But it sure is causing a lot of hardship...)

[epresley]

I take a boat to work.

[strangegrey]

So, tell me what will give?
How high can the prices go before something breaks?
It's not government's job to stop this. It's the consumers.
How do we simply stop driving?

Sadly, we cant. We're an economy and culture that is driven, financially, by the gas powered engine. You mention it further down in your post......

However, the point I was making is that while it's not the governments responsibility to manage prices, I *do* feel it's their responsibility to get extremely involved when such a necessary item/driver of our economy becomes a traded and more importantly, hedge financial instrument. This is sorta turning the gas market into the natural gas market of enron days....and its nasty effects are shown at the pump to the tune of reportedly 20%. Think about it...20% of our current gas price is driven by hedging....20% of our gas prices are due to irresponsible gov deregulation in an industry that should have never been deregulated.

Was telling a friend just the other day, that these new high prices seem to be hurting everything else too. People won't drive across town to a restaurant, or to the movie. We'll cut out all non-necessary driving, which means local economies will slow down. I guess the grocery stores will profit from this because we'll make a greater effort to shop just once rather than several times in a given period. However, goods there will be more expensive too. Was just at a Sam's Club this morning, and the tire jockey there said new updates came in and tires are going up 8%. I guess anything petroleum related will get hit hard.

Forget petroleum....anything period. Food, grain, plastic, iron, drugs, whatever...anything that gets carted from one place to another will get more expensive to make and transport. I feel that gas has been a direct driver of the current 'inflation' we are experiencing....irrespective of that piece of shit hick in the white house's interpretation of 'inflation' (with the price of gas removed from the CPI).

I often wonder that if big oil sees their ends near, due to the green initiatives and alternative fuel developement, and they're just gouging us to make more money while they can.....

While I often regard Bill OReily among the most intellectually void idiots to drool on the face of the earth, he made this very point last night. That the big oil companies see the end coming...and they are stepping up profits so they can survive the coming lean years...it'll be interesting to watch play out.

[SteveForever]

There was an interesting news segment last night (both on cnn and fox) in that the hedge and derivative activity for oil can be blamed for at least 20 percent of the current price of oil (despite flacid arguments by the hedge fund association to the contrary). I find it hard to believe that speculation of the oil market (which is one of the most volitile markets out there) doesn't affect the price paid at the pump. It's impossible to deny. But you can be your own judge and jury for this.

The interesting thing behind this, is that the hedge/derivative market was deregulated by Hayseed Bush (and an irresponsibly cooperative congress) back in the infancy of his presidency. Paving the way for what is currently 2 billion dollar profit/year for hedge fund managers and disgustingly increased revenues and profits for oil companies. (ExxonMobil, since 2003 has almost doubled its net income and Revenue has increased by over 125 billion!!! )

For those that would argue that taxes are the reason why gas prices is higher....the fact remains that the federal gas tax has been a constant since the early days of the Clinton administration, when we were paying $1.10-1.40 per gallon. coupled with the doubling of profits of most integrated gas companies since 2003, and you get the picture.

Hayseed George created an environment for increased gas prices, partially through deregulating (i.e. allowing) the hedging of oil, the gas companies (most of whom are good buddies with hayseed) made out like bandits...and the average hard working american pays through the nose both at the pump and for goods that have increased in cost due to higher energy prices.

....... makes sense as far as the hedge
fund knuckleheads. It should not be legal to do that on what I would
call 'national products'. Oil, gas, wheat, corn, water, energy (power)
things like that I would call a national product.

That is why we have government, to protect those assets and keep them
affordable. Balance regulation and free enterprise. Enterprise is what
motivates companies to make more cheaper to increase their profits, but
when you tie in wallstreet and the producers it goes crazy.

[ttango1]

But that's why I ride one of these sometimes to cut back on car mileage.



Cept' that mine is Spurs Silver & Black

Too dangerous for my tastes plus they are pretty dorky-looking. Sorry.

Say what you want...but I gotta tell ya...THE CHICKS DIG THE VESPA!!!