All in Favor of Lowering Gas Prices

[Smiling JOe]

What happened to government for and by the people?

They sold us out long ago! In addition, they keep the 18 packs of beer flowing and the sports games being played often, so that we don't have time to think about gov't. They continue to sneak taxes out of your paychecks so that all you think about at the end of the year is getting money back, which they call a refund, but is actually an overpayment. Blah, blah, blah.

Slowmovin', I am against Gov't restraints on limiting profits, ceo salaries, etc. but I am also against the Gov't encouraging consumers to use more gas -- currently done in one part by allowing major tax incentives for purchasing vehicles weighing over 6,000 lbs, which mostly guzzle gas due to larger engines. Originally, this was done to help farmers offset the high costs of equipment, but it has turned into something totally different. I don't think a Cadillac Escalade is a piece of farm equipment, for example.

If the gov't really gave a hoot about getting off of oil (and they don't want to spoil the coffers), the largest tax incentives for vehicle purchases would be going to alternative fuel autos and vehicles with avg gas mileage totalling 50+ mpg.

The formula of supply and demand does not flow freely, if it is contrained by gov't red tape.;-) Get gov't out of our business, and you will see a movement toward energy efficient vehicles in the US.

Oil, coffee, soft-drinks, and cigarettes -- we are addicted.

 

[dbuck]

I have a friend that moved to Amsterdam 3 years ago, and yes they pay over $5.00 a gallon for gasoline, but they don't pay over $700 a month for health insurance.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I have a friend that moved to Amsterdam 3 years ago, and yes they pay over $5.00 a gallon for gasoline, but they don't pay over $700 a month for health insurance.

Yes they do. It is called Socialism.

 

[Cil]

Socialized medicine has its drawbacks--but also its benefits.

Anyhoo, this is an interesting read:
New Gasoline Study Shows Profits, Not Crude Oil Prices Or Ethanol, Are Driving Pump Price Spike

 

[SlowMovin]

The formula of supply and demand does not flow freely, if it is contrained by gov't red tape.;-) Get gov't out of our business, and you will see a movement toward energy efficient vehicles in the US.

Amen, amen and amen. And it's not just oil. Government has no business propping up farm prices, bailing out failed corporations, writing private property insurance policies...the list goes on and on.

 

[SlowMovin]

Speaking of farm prices...

I heard an interview last week with a guy (can't recall his name, but he wrote a book called The Omnivore's Dilemma) who said that a large part of our dependence on foreign oil is a result of government subsidies to corn farmers (it actually makes sense after you hear the explanation).

Where in the Constitution does it say that a role of the Federal Government is subsidize the price of any goods or services?

 

[TooFarTampa]

Speaking of farm prices...

I heard an interview last week with a guy (can't recall his name, but he wrote a book called The Omnivore's Dilemma) who said that a large part of our dependence on foreign oil is a result of government subsidies to corn farmers (it actually makes sense after you hear the explanation).

Where in the Constitution does it say that a role of the Federal Government is subsidize the price of any goods or services?

That sounds interesting SlowMovin. I agree with allowing capitalism to work its magic in almost all cases, but I have to disagree with your thoughts about farm subsidies. I hope I don't offend anyone here -- I am a city girl, so this is my perspective -- but while driving from Louisville to Indianapolis for the Final Four and looking around the landscape, I couldn't help but wonder who the phrig would want to be a farmer if the business wasn't subsidized? Somebody has to do it. It is sure as heck not an easy life, and one that does not mesh easily with the rest of "modern society," such as it is.

But maybe I am missing something and there are actual reasons that farming is considered an ideal profession not just for the good of the country but for an individual and his/her family.

Great posts about gas prices, btw. Donna I agree with you 100 percent, even if living those ideals might end up being painful. This planet is in trouble and I'd rather take "drastic" measures now than have to worry that my great grandchildren will not have a world to live in.

 

[Lois]

Socialized medicine has its drawbacks--but also its benefits.
QUOTE]

Tell that to my mother who lives in England and had to wait over 16-months for a hip replacement and ended up breaking both wrists during that period due to a bad fall and her inability to get around.

I've seen both sides and God only help us if the US ends up going down that path.

 

[SHELLY]

SJ, I absolutely agree. In fact, if gas prices increased to $15 per gallon or so for about three consecutive months, people would be truly amazed at how effective their conservation measures could be.

Don't you think that would force area business owners to raise the wages of service workers to $8.55 an hour? (Unless of course the $400,000 condos in the area would lower their rents so service workers wouldn't have to commute as far.)

 

[Smiling JOe]

Regarding farming subsidies, I grew up on a farm, and I saw farmers who would plant just enough crops to get gov't money by leaving them in the ground rather than harvesting them -- all done to control pricing. I don't get it, never did. The only people I know who still plant corn are doing so to stock their freezer, not for cash crop. Some of the peanut and cotton farmers have turned to growing wheat. A few still plant some peanuts, but in the south, small farmers are getting out of the farm business. Many sold to large farming corporations 20 years ago -- not much different than Wal-Mart sufficating small businesses.

Speaking of Wal-mart and gas prices, do you know that FL law prohibits gas stations from selling gasoline below cost? Wal-mart has been trying to kill the competing gas stations by selling at a loss to get people in the door and making extremely loyal customers.

By the way, the next time you are at the gas pump, when you look at the dollar numbers fly by, think about the $400 Million given to the Exxon oil exec, Lee Raymond, as retirement bonus.