Fuel Prices

[testudoph]

The truth of the whole "gas prices issue" is that prices in the U.S. are probably getting to the correct place! On the whole, the Cost of Living in the U.S. has risen from 3.5% - 5% for the past 10 years...but, the price of gas has risen only about 1% (on average) for each of those years. The current prices are much closer to what they SHOULD be in a free-market economy...at about $3.00 per gallon.

Also, U.S. gas prices COULD be much lower in most states, if not for the massive taxes levied by State governments. The federal gas tax is small on gas (compared to individual tax rates). But, over the past 20+ years, States are truly the ones GOUGING consumers (not the businesses). Some states are taxing gas at rates of 60 Cents on the Dollar!!!

During "good financial times", US consumers didn't complain about (or even notice) the ridiculously high state gas taxes. But, now everyone wants to blame the oil companies. There is only one group to blame for gas prices....government (both state and federal). For decades, govt's have kept gas prices arbitrarily low to make consumers "feel" confident...yet, the govt's were ciphoning off a large portion of the profits for taxes.

Don't blame oil companies! Blame the federal and state governments for (1) Over-regulating gas prices, (2) Over-taxing gas prices at the pump, (3) not promoting our own US oil refineries, (4) getting too complacent and cozy with foreign oil supplies, and (5) not drilling for our own US oil supplies.

Most folks don't wanna hear this..but the sad and honest truth of the matter is this...until the US fixes all 5 of those things...the US MUST stay in the middle east, MUST fight wars/conflicts in the middle east, and MUST do whatever it takes to create "allies" in the gulf region. The entire idea of "bringing democracy to the middle east" is bullshit....it's totally and simply about OIL. And, in our "new world", OIL is the fortune and treasure that all world-powers are judged by. So..I am okay with going to war for OIL...cuz OIL = Power. But...let's just be honest about it.

[Fornicator]

Buy a bike!!

[Arizona]

Thx for your post here testudoph. Agree with most. Although starting with "The truth is…", well, truth to be said, it's a bold statement in my opinion.
Cheers.

[buckner866]

Im afraid that we all need to realize that gas prices will never ever be back to what they used to be, under $2 or even under $3. It is time for us to catch up to the rest of the world by paying what they pay, and time for our car companies to catch up to the rest of the world and develop (or bring engines from europe) more fuel efficient engines to us. gas prices wont go down but the efficiency of our cars will go up, how soon? i dont know

[KenshinX]

They are too high

[Arizona]

	Quote:			Originally Posted by KenshinX
	They are too high

For your wallet? The economy? For honesty's sake? The environment?
30 few-worded posts in just two days. Busted pal. Don't expect activation for that kind of participation here.
If you have something serious to reply to a thread (that someone took the time to start and others gave the time to reply to with their thoughts and so together crating a discussion here), by all means. Otherwise spam another board.

[Nokia]

Here in UK, we are getting ripped off by the Government with rising fuel costs.

[yougotit]

Gas prices are annoying, but far from unaffordable. Honestly, if high gas prices gets more people using public transportation, or walking/biking then it's really for the best.

[tehsnipes]

its only gonna keep rising. US failed in foreign policy.

[extremis]

i think it is time to move on to alternative energy sources. this will not only save as some money but it will save the planet as well. only problem is oil-companies and everyone that profits from oil will not welcome such a move...