Gas Stations? Screw The Puplic?

[dr. freeze]

government ran?

what has the government done that it hasnt done horribly?

edit...what has ANY government done that it hasn't done horribly?

 

[countinguy]

all i am getting at is NO PRIVATE Company is gonna to build any refineries because it is unprofitable to them and would hurt their bottom line in the long run. That is the only reason I think our government should step up to the bat on this one. The last refinery was built here back in the 70's do u realize how many more cars are on the road now, compared to the 70's

 

[LUX]

Before the hurricane, I would have said the Naval Station @ Pascagoula, Mississippi that is being closed would be an ideal location for a refinery. Why not look at where they are closing some of the other bases to see if there is a good fit to build additional refineries? Just a thought.

 

[BleedDodgerBlue]

No, I just dont know why people think gas is any different than any other product they buy or why they need to be hypcritical about it. Like I said, I dont see any threads about how Starbucks is screwing the public by charging $4 for a 25 cent cup of coffee, but people pay @ $45/gallon for coffee that cost a tenth of that.

So why not? Should the gas and oil companies be in business to be nice and not make a profit?

you really do like to defend them. your analogies dont work though. People can get by without starbucks or cds or whatever else you brought up. People in their daily lives need gas to get to and from where they're going. It is capitalism, but you are talking about perk items as opposed to necessity items.

gas is what it is and if bitchin about it makes em feel better let em.

 

[acehistr8]

I work as a consultant and one of my clients is the Department of Energy. Refineries are not necessarily in themselves profit centers, but the low number of them makes it profitable for the oil companies because they get rid of every drop of oil they refine.

Trust me, its flat impossible to get any local government to approve a new refinery. To be efficient enough, you need a huge refinery which, well, stinks a lot if you've ever been to one. Find me a place in this country where we could build more of them without years and years of litigation by state/county/local governments.

 

[dr. freeze]

thats because the government has placed ridiculous regulations on them

if they cant refine it for a profit, then they should charge higher prices for it and the wacked environmentalists should pay those margins themselves

 

[acehistr8]

you really do like to defend them. your analogies dont work though. People can get by without starbucks or cds or whatever else you brought up. People in their daily lives need gas to get to and from where they're going. It is capitalism, but you are talking about perk items as opposed to necessity items.

gas is what it is and if bitchin about it makes em feel better let em.

Sure people can get by without them, but they dont. And they dont bitch about it either. And sorry but I dont *necessarily* consider gas or cars a necssity item at all in this country. I know plenty of people that ride to work, live closer to their jobs, walk to work, take public transit, carpool - even outside of major cities. We want it all in this country. We want to live in big houses that are cheap because they are far from our jobs and we want big trucks to get back and forth on our long commute.

 

[BleedDodgerBlue]

long term I understand what you are talking about. People in america do want it all. that's what living the dream is.

maybe people should ride the bus or commute or whatever else they need to do in an ideal world. Never gonna happen in LA. Maybe out east.

But that's not the point. The point is gas prices have gone up $1 dollar in the last month for people. I guess I'm privilidged enough where it doesn't affect me. But to many people 30 or 40 bucks a week more to pay for gas becaue they can't afford a house near their job is a lot.

I agree that people as a long term goal should do something about it, but short term it really is gonna affect a lot of people not so well off and I do feel bad for them.

 

[acehistr8]

Hey I've spent plenty of time in LA (Santa Monica actually). You know why, I think, most people dont take public transit in LA? Its not cool enough! DC/LA have the two worst traffic problems in the country, DC has a bustling public transit system, LAs is shunned by a lot of people. IMHO, its because in LA its just not cool to take the bus to work. People want to drive their cars everywhere, yet the LA Metro runs from where, I think Long/Redondo beaches to Pasedena out to Hollywood?

Look, cant blame them. Its 70 and sunny every day there. I'd want my car too. But just because people dont use the Metro doesnt mean its not an option. I take the train @ 40 minutes each way every day, driving would be about the same. Tell most people that who arent used to taking public transit and most would opt to stay in their cars.

 

[BahamaMama]

Ace, what you say about mass transit is fine and dandy in metro areas... but what about farmers in the heartland that live in the middle of nowhere... not only do they NEED a lot of gasoline to get to a city for necessities, but they also NEED that same gasoline to work in the fields that bring food to your table.... Latte is a luxury to all, gasoline is a luxury to SOME!!! are you gonna be happy when the price of bread goes to $20 per loaf?

 

[acehistr8]

I dont know, maybe the farmers can use some of the $200B in free handout farm subsidies they get from the Feds to afford more gas? I mean, its not like gas just suddenly became unavailable at all and we are talking about a rare commodity available only on Mars. If a 25 cent rise in the price of gas is the sole reason that farmer or anyone else for that matter is going out of business, then hes a terrible businessman. I feel the same way about airlines who didnt hedge their fuel contracts.

 

[djv]

Ace your missing the point. At least places like star bucks if they can open are givieng free coffee. Resturants are helping with free meals. Gas stations are running out and jumping there prices based on rumors. They are just riping folks off. If they gave a chit they would help folks when there is a disaster not screw them. Exxon/Mobil just made a profit of 7.2 billion for one quarter. That was the profit they made for a whole year just four years ago. Boy there just lossing there ass. I guess when 9/11 happen you said all those people should have been at home.

 

[countinguy]

Djv

there are gas station dealers here in indy that had to close today because they ran outta of fuel, cause the tanker can't keep up. These dealers are all under leases w/the oil companies for 10k to 15k a month rent, this does not include utilities, payroll and maintence. How the hell r these poor guys suppose to make it..

 

[JT]

I'm more concerned about the supply then price. Hell, I can deal with $4.00 a gallon just as long as there is some to buy. The port down there is/was the biggest in the US and the only I think that can handle SuperTankers. If nothing can get up or down the Mississippi River then to be realistic we could be talking depression not recession people. Hope i'm wrong.

 

[BahamaMama]

Ace, i'm not disagreeing with you about the right and need for *price* of gas increasing.... yeah, it can go up just like everything else.... i AM however disagreeing with you calling it a luxury rather than a necessity.... because in today's society, it IS a necessity to some, where as Latte is not.

P.S. : as a result of recent increases, one major cutback this year for us in gasoline is that the kids no longer get RIDES to school.... it's biking it time

 

[BahamaMama]

I'm more concerned about the supply then price. Hell, I can deal with $4.00 a gallon just as long as there is some to buy. The port down there is/was the biggest in the US and the only I think that can handle SuperTankers. If nothing can get up or down the Mississippi River then to be realistic we could be talking depression not recession people. Hope i'm wrong.

ain't that the truth!!!! makes you wonder how many people that post here know nothing about gas rationing times. (even i don't know it to it's fullest extent, but i do remember the even/odd licence plate number stuff..... bad news to run out of gas if it wasn't your day to get it.)

 

[BahamaMama]

oh, and Ace.... did you click on the link i posted above? i'm not blaming gas stations for the price when it seems like states or feds must have a major part in setting the price also!! THAT, IMO is not fair!!!!!

 

[djv]

Folks I undestand the points being made. But many stations are indepentent. And I just think it's a little nasty before any new high priced gas even reaches them. Well you get the idea. Up the price when its proper. We will pay. But not some of the B S going on now.

 

[BahamaMama]

DJV, did you read my link from Minny?? the stations may not have a CHOICE as far as raising prices.... i have no idea if the price they must charge is based on what they HAVE, or what they must pay to REFILL.... but i would bet it is based on futures.

 

[djv]

Could be as you say. We here at least only can get one price up every 24 hours. Our kwik trips here went up 18 cents in three days. One day even before the storm hit. I'm just happy I'm on the border with Minn. We have a citgo station thats matches the Minn price witch is lower because your state tax is 8 cents less. Hey every little bit helps. But then you go to the north of the city by I-90 and its 10 cents more. Don't ask me why. South side of city is 10 cents less.