Gas prices continue to soar, despite HIGHEST SUPPLY LEVELS IN 14 YEARS.

[VanillaGorilla]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12400801/

Supply and Demand my ass! These oil companies already know that people are willing to spend $2.95-$3.20 for gas, so they are just going to keep pushing and pushing until finally the public begins to push back, then they'll "drop" their prices. This is such crap.

[ITDEFX]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12400801/

Supply and Demand my ass! These oil companies already know that people are willing to spend $2.95-$3.20 for gas, so they are just going to keep pushing and pushing until finally the public begins to push back, then they'll "drop" their prices. This is such crap.

so how much was today's fill up for you VG?

[Ikohn4ever]

come on now, companies arent allowed to make "record" profits, while putting like 1% towards renewable resources, this is America not Communist Russia

[E-Z-B]

Blame this on the weak dollar.

[VanillaGorilla]

so how much was today's fill up for you VG?$33 today, but my tank was a quarter full.

[Moxio]

God damn. My tank's about to hit 3/4 empty. I last filled up when it was like $2.85 a gal. Now it's about $3.25. :bomb: x 10

[Xevious]

I haven't had a car since last year. I miss it sometimes but this is one of those moments I don't miss it at all...

[JolietJake]

My car is usually about $30 + to fill up and i drive a fucking Taurus....:roll:

[SpazX]

My car is usually about $30 + to fill up and i drive a fucking Taurus....:roll:

Yeah me too, but Taurus' don't really get the best gas mileage. I average about 20-21mpg with like 70% highway.

[GuilewasNK]

My truck is $72+ to fill up when I'm on E.

I win!



Oh well, the quicker we run out of oil the better IMO. It really irritates me that our consupmtion is going down, but they raise prices regardless. Plus, Virginia just raised the gas tax.

[mykevermin]

Here's the punchline:

supplies go up, prices go up.

Next month, when OPEC reduces output so as to reduce the "excess supply," guess what? Prices go up again due to "dwindling supply"! Hahahahaha!

[JolietJake]

It's all a racket, sometimes it's hard to believe that they go after mafia families for racketeering, when shell and exxon-mobil do essentially the same thing.

[E-Z-B]

The Fed keeps printing money like it's going out of style. Meanwhile, this drives up inflation. The dollar now gets weaker - investors are abandoning the greenback due to low interest rates and worsening inflation for better investments abroad. This all gets traced back to the housing crisis and its "solution" to the 2000-2002 recession.

[fatherofcaitlyn]

Yeah me too, but Taurus' don't really get the best gas mileage. I average about 20-21mpg with like 70% highway.

Try changing your spark plugs, air filter and fuel filter.

Then, dump some fuel injector cleaner in the tank.

With gas this expensive, it'll pay for itself.

My '97 Taurus averages 25-30 mpg with a few minutes of warming up the car.

OR

Get an Escort.

[fatherofcaitlyn]

Here's another thought for those with lots of tools:

http://www.amazon.com/Convert-Michael-Brown/dp/1879857944/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203964485&sr=8-1

Some of the book's data is dated, but it is a good start.

[MarkMark]

-Often the government gets more profit from oil companies themselves via taxation
-With enviromentalists on the rampage the United States is unable to exploit many reserves in its territory so it must import more
-People STILL buy humvees and suvs en mass with actual need for them
-Refinement capabilites can be a bottleneck for actual consumer supplies.
-Although oil companies go slowly towards new sources of energy can you blame them for not going as fast as possible? It would be like showing people how to fish when you are the only fisherman around. Good for the community but bad for you since now you need a new job.

[Magehart]

Be glad you're not me and driving a diesel. They are gouging on it hard out here. It's been $3.60/gallon since summer. When gas prices dropped in early winter diesel stayed the same. Now that gas is going back up so does diesel. As of this week it's $3.95/gallon today, $3.80 yesterday. About 3 miles from here it's $4.15/gallon.

[Sharp Katana]

i filled up 3/4 of my gas tank @ $3.50/gal. Last week it was $3.45 prices just keep going up :drool:

[strikeratt]

I haven't had a car since last year. I miss it sometimes but this is one of those moments I don't miss it at all...

Are you me IRL? O_O Had to junk my escort last may ... in a month or 2 I get to put a 15 MPG car on the road too ... yay :applause: I'm glad I'm not helping the problem and just adding to it.

[jaykrue]

It's not just gas prices. You have to remember that oil by-products are the foundation of many products we use today, either as a source or a catalyst to create other products. When oil prices go up, expect many other things to go up, from the motor oil for your car's engine to the lubricant on your condom to the nylon stockings on your gf's leg. Oil prices affect most everything in modern society.

[mykevermin]

It's pretty much "everything" prices outside of perhaps DLC ;).

The price of milk went up 19% per gallon last year on average - that's one number that comes to mind. I suspect there is not an equivalent of "OPEC" in the US dairy market, but, rather, large farm/businesses that needed to recoup the cost of delivering all that milk.

[fatherofcaitlyn]

On the Louisville news tonight at 10PM, there is going to be a story as to why the price of gas keeps going up.

Hmm. I wonder if the answer is "Because we can, losers".

My wife commutes 50 miles one way to work and I commute 40 miles one way to work.

My wife and I are actually moving from a $85k house to (tentatively) a $110K house. Based on $3/gallon gas and the amount of repairs both cars have had over the last three years, we'll be better off by $200 and 26 hours of commute time a month.

I'm not one of those "the sky is falling" types, but I'm definitely looking forward to adding a solar shingle roof, a few modest wind generators, converting my cars to electric power and turning one of my closets into a massive cupboard over the next decade.

Let's hope the food riots don't happen before then. Ramen could reach prices nearing 50 cents.

[VanillaGorilla]

It's not just gas prices. You have to remember that oil by-products are the foundation of many products we use today, either as a source or a catalyst to create other products. When oil prices go up, expect many other things to go up, from the motor oil for your car's engine to the lubricant on your condom to the nylon stockings on your gf's leg. Oil prices affect most everything in modern society.Ok that's all well and good, but what about items that affect ME?

[Friend of Sonic]

I drive about a 100 miles roundtrip on a work day between going to and from work and picking up my girlfriend. So obviously the gas issue affects me.
Now, if the economy doesn't completely explode, I don't mind too much since I can afford it. They just better not raise prices-- it's unfortunate, but they probably will.

[bigdaddy]

It's Bush's fault. The US dollar is at a 25 year low if not worse on every other dollar on the planet. Because of this a $50 barrel of gas 10 years ago cost $103.

[jaykrue]

Ok that's all well and good, but what about items that affect ME?

Do you eat? Do you drink anything in a container? Do you use the bathroom? Do you wash your clothes? Do you wear clothes? Do you use electronics? Do you drive a car? Have you ever needed to clean something using rubbing alcohol? Ever use WD-40? And the list goes on & on.

Expect food prices to go up because it costs money to ship things thanks to the gas. If you drink anything in a plastic container like bottled water to soda to energy drinks, you'll see a price increase because plastics are sometimes derived from petroleum. When you take a shit, your shit is most likely traveling through PVC pipes, another plastic derivative. Detergents contain petrochemicals (products derived from petroleum) to help clean your clothes. Clothing itself can sometimes be lined w/ polyester (sometimes also derived from petroleum) or synthetic rubbers (such as your sneakers). Various polyesters (& other petrochemicals) are used in many electronics today such as LCD displays, cell phones, etc. Your car needs other things besides gas. These include lubricants for your engine, your antifreeze, your wiper fluid, etc. Petrochemicals are either part of the liquids used or serve as a catalyzing agent to synthesize them. Isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) is a product of water & propene (another petrochemical). WD-40, a lubricating spray, has many uses in home & car maintenance.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Can you imagine the thousand and one other things we use oil & oil products for? Even if you consider alternative energy sources, you still need to manufacture the containers/products that utilize said sources. Solar panels aren't just glass. Hydroelectric dams still need wire insulation (of which can be made from various petrochemicals). Ditto for nuclear power plants, wind farms, etc. Oil unfortunately provides for all that which is why gas is the least of modern civilizations problems.

[munch]

It's Bush's fault. The US dollar is at a 25 year low if not worse on every other dollar on the planet. Because of this a $50 barrel of gas 10 years ago cost $103.

I'm as big of a liberal as the nexy guy, but some tautologic comment such as "It's Bush's fault" just doesn't cut it.

[fatherofcaitlyn]

I'm as big of a liberal as the nexy guy, but some tautologic comment such as "It's Bush's fault" just doesn't cut it.

Is "Bush squandered budget surpluses (or at least very small deficits) to fuel consumer spending and started an elective and very expensive war with a country that is of no threat to our country" more effective?

[camoor]

Do you use the bathroom? Do you wash your clothes? Do you wear clothes? Do you use electronics? Do you drive a car? Have you ever needed to clean something using rubbing alcohol? Ever use WD-40?

When you're talking to VG, these questions are no longer rhetorical.

[guinaevere]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12400801/

Supply and Demand my ass! These oil companies already know that people are willing to spend $2.95-$3.20 for gas, so they are just going to keep pushing and pushing until finally the public begins to push back, then they'll "drop" their prices. This is such crap.You guys need to educate yourselves about how this works.

The price you pay at the pump today is directly related to the price of a Barrel of Oil on the Futures Market. You know you keep hearing this week about the price of a barrel of oil being over $100? THATS why you're paying high prices at the pump. Because of the investors in the Futures Market driving the prices up. Exxon, Mobile, Shell, whatever, they don't dictate the going bid on next years oil/barrel, QED they don't dictate the selling price of gas at the pump today.

I know it's popular to hate Big Oil and look at them as horrible companies with all the toys who refuse to give their product away. But please do your research.

[JolietJake]

You guys need to education yourselves about how this works.

The price you pay at the pump today is directly related to the price of a Barrel of Oil on the Futures Market. You know you keep hearing this week about the price of a barrel of oil being over $100? THATS why you're paying high prices at the pump. Because of the investors in the Futures Market driving the prices up. Exxon, Mobile, Shell, whatever, they don't dictate the going bid on next years oil/barrel, QED they don't dictate the selling price of gas at the pump today.

I know it's popular to hate Big Oil and look at them as horrible companies with all the toys who refuse to give their product away. But please do your research.I believe you meant "educate yourselves.";)

[guinaevere]

:lol: I'm an idiot.


Thanks for the correction.

[fatherofcaitlyn]

You guys need to educate yourselves about how this works.

The price you pay at the pump today is directly related to the price of a Barrel of Oil on the Futures Market. You know you keep hearing this week about the price of a barrel of oil being over $100? THATS why you're paying high prices at the pump. Because of the investors in the Futures Market driving the prices up. Exxon, Mobile, Shell, whatever, they don't dictate the going bid on next years oil/barrel, QED they don't dictate the selling price of gas at the pump today.

I know it's popular to hate Big Oil and look at them as horrible companies with all the toys who refuse to give their product away. But please do your research.

Why would investors be willing to pay so much more for a product that is relatively than the same as a year ago?

[guinaevere]

FoC, I don't have any investments in the Futures Market because I don't understand their theories. Hog futures, cattle futures, oil futures, precious metals futures... they're ways to make decent money (or lose money if you don't know what you're doing). But they make very little sense to me, so I stay away.

[JolietJake]

Don't want to get screwed like those brothers in trading places.:lol:

[fatherofcaitlyn]

FoC, I don't have any investments in the Futures Market because I don't understand their theories. Hog futures, cattle futures, oil futures, precious metals futures... they're ways to make decent money (or lose money if you don't know what you're doing). But they make very little sense to me, so I stay away.

What if the major investors in oil futures are the oil companies?

EDIT: Here's how futures work?

If a product will be worth more in the future, you buy long. Pay first, sell second.

If a product will be worth less in the future, you buy short. Sell first (take a loan), pay second.

[rdwd39]

I heard on NPR about a week ago that in 1980, only 20% of our oil had to be imported from other countries. Today that number is 65%. Just thought that was interesting.

[Ikohn4ever]

Don't want to get screwed like those brothers in trading places.:lol:

that part was loosely based on a true story of two brothers who tried to buy up the silver market and went bankrupt

[N1c0_ds]

My bicycle doesn't give a crap.


EDIT TO AVOID FLAME WAR: But I'll give a huge one in a year or so...

[GuilewasNK]

My bicycle doesn't give a crap.


EDIT TO AVOID FLAME WAR: But I'll give a huge one in a year or so...

If I could ride a bike to work I would, but it isn't feasible where I currently live.

[JolietJake]

I could probably bike to school/work, but I'd probably get my ass ran over by some huge SUV too.

[mykevermin]

If I could ride a bike to work I would, but it isn't feasible where I currently live.

Get a Vespa (or a bajaj chetek if you're a real cheap ass), start wearing Fred Perry polos, and be the hottest cat on the block!

Though you're 6'3", aren't you? That may look a wee bit funny on a scooter.

[Ikohn4ever]

Though you're 6'3", aren't you? That may look a wee bit funny on a scooter.


like this but funnier

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/6730/200pxverytallmandn9.png

[vincewy]

How about going to work on foot? When I moved to the current new job in CA, I chose to live right next to my company.

[Magehart]

I could probably bike to school/work, but I'd probably get my ass ran over by some huge SUV too.

I rode my bike to work/school until a Mazda 3 hit me.

[billyrox]

Get a Vespa (or a bajaj chetek if you're a real cheap ass), start wearing Fred Perry polos, and be the hottest cat on the block!

Though you're 6'3", aren't you? That may look a wee bit funny on a scooter.

vespa is not a bad idea... or bike is always good

[fatherofcaitlyn]

I'm looking forward to our summer move. My wife is replacing her 50 mile one way commute for a 5 mile one commute that could allow for 3 additional passengers.

[shieryda]

$3.45/gallon today outside Chicago.:bomb::bomb::bomb::bomb::bomb::bomb::bomb:

WFT, man. How can we "pressure" big oil to quit fucking around with gas prices? Public transportation and car-pooling are not an option.

[InuFaye]

They arent because we will keep on paying for it.

[mykevermin]

$3.45/gallon today outside Chicago.:bomb::bomb::bomb::bomb::bomb::bomb::bomb:

WFT, man. How can we "pressure" big oil to quit fucking around with gas prices? Public transportation and car-pooling are not an option.

I recommend MySpace bulletins promoting "don't buy gas on this day." Because they worked so well before.

[Ikohn4ever]

OPEC is doing this shit purposely, they will lower production as a global inflation starts. They are unified in making money and screwing everyone.

[SoNiC1023]

Yea ive pretty much decided not to put a bigger engine in my car now just because of gas prices.

[GuilewasNK]

Get a Vespa (or a bajaj chetek if you're a real cheap ass), start wearing Fred Perry polos, and be the hottest cat on the block!

Though you're 6'3", aren't you? That may look a wee bit funny on a scooter.


I'm 6'6". I look funny in anything. :cry: :lol:

Although, last year I did look into the Vespa and had some brochures mailed to me. I also tried purchasing a bike but it just didn't work out due to the street I live on. The incline is tremendous here.

OPEC is doing this shit purposely, they will lower production as a global inflation starts. They are unified in making money and screwing everyone.


Welcome to the wonderful world of capitalism! I will be so glad when either everyone stops using oil because of a new energy source or because people say fuck it and start walking.

[thespamofpower]

Hurray! 3.83/gallon! ...

[vincewy]

$3.45/gallon today outside Chicago.:bomb::bomb::bomb::bomb::bomb::bomb::bomb:

Public transportation and car-pooling are not an option.

Why aren't those an option? Many parts of Asia and Europe have been doing it for decades, buses, railroads, biking, even walking (like myself). I have no sympathy and respect for those who stretch their budgets out of monthly payments to buy finance large homes and SUVs/Hummers and live so far away from the rest of the world. Research a little bit on peak oil, if people don't change their behaviors, mother nature will. Perhaps people have gone so lazy and fat by now that those measures will be real hardships for them.

Before you blame oil companies (yes it's their fault, but not 100%), consider the major causes of high oil prices (along with subsequent effects)

1. Price of crude oil per barrel
-commodity prices driven up by investors, because other sectors are too risky (real estate).

2. Falling US dollar
-govt keeps spending money to boost economy.
-the value keeps falling because fed keeps cutting interest rate.
-investors are ditching dollars and trading with other currencies.

3. US relations with other countries
-current standoff with Chavez really reduces our supply unless US invade Venezuela (was the 3rd largest supplier of oil)

4. Peak oil
-supplies haven't increased, but demands have as other newly industrialized nations are competing with US now for the resources.
-long term investors know that the price will only go up, not down.
-as mentioned, when everyone (well not true, but close) uses Hummers and SUVs it will only exacerbate the situation.

The situation is much more profound than it looks, so...

[BlueLobstah]

Why aren't those an option? Many parts of Asia and Europe have been doing it for decades, buses, railroads, biking, even walking (like myself). I have no sympathy and respect for those who stretch their budgets out of monthly payments to buy finance large homes and SUVs/Hummers and live so far away from the rest of the world. Research a little bit on peak oil, if people don't change their behaviors, mother nature will. Perhaps people have gone so lazy and fat by now that those measures will be real hardships for them.

Geography is part of the problem, cities in Europe and Asia the urban sprawl is not as big as mid to western US due to the constraints of transportation at the time. So walking/biking/mass-transportation is not always an option here in the US. In a majority of the cities here in the southeast the only way to get around IS driving, because there is no mass-transportation or it just plain sucks.

I used to be part of the solution by riding a bike until some moron hit me. I don't think I will be biking to/from work any longer, at least in this city but that is completely different issue.