Who's to blame for $4 gas - Louisiana Gas Prices

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GasBuddy News Article

Who's to blame for $4 gas Tuesday, May 20, 2008
CNN Money -- NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- It's hard to imagine now, but in 1999 gasoline sold for 90 cents a gallon. How'd we get from there to $4 a gallon? There is no short answer - many things happened, and together they formed a chain of events from cheap gas to $100 tankfuls.
Visit CNN Money for full article

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JT Moderator	Message Posted: 5/20/2008 10:05:33 AM	Ignore JT Report Abuse
	Tuesday, May 20, 2008 CNN Money -- NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- It's hard to imagine now, but in 1999 gasoline sold for 90 cents a gallon. How'd we get from there to $4 a gallon? There is no short answer - many things happened, and together they formed a chain of events from cheap gas to $100 tankfuls. Visit CNN Money for full article

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lindamay Veteran Author Minnesota Posts:362 Points:112,620 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: 6/1/2008 12:59:08 AM	Ignore lindamay Report Abuse
	In the Twin Cities, Superamerica drives the gas prices. We're compensating by refusing to buy gas from them, even when it's lower, and we won't buy convenience items either.
jjohnson90 Rookie Author Twin Cities Posts:8 Points:4,235 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 5/31/2008 2:14:33 PM	Ignore jjohnson90 Report Abuse
	gas stations aren't fixing prices, it's the oil companies. I work at a superamerica and the only way we are allowed to change the price is to do a "fuel survey" where we drive up and down the corridor and check the prices of all the nearby gas stations. We then send the info to the oil company (Marathon) and they send us a 'price change authorization' back which will say something like UNL PLU PRE DSL CURRENT 3.839 3.939 4.039 4.649 NEW 3.829 3.929 4.029 4.699 DEADLINE: 12:00PM 5/31/2008 this price is what we have to sell it for, which includes only 8-15¢ per gallon for the gas station.
REKEY Rookie Author South Carolina Posts:62 Points:29,020 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 5/31/2008 10:38:36 AM	Ignore REKEY Report Abuse
	BUSH!
LWB_Sr Sophomore Author Tennessee Posts:239 Points:106,865 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 5/31/2008 10:10:41 AM	Ignore LWB_Sr Report Abuse
	Very true, Blame is a game, and solves nothing. It is worth noting that USA oil reserves, though substantial, are not being utilized because of unfavorable and stupid government restrictions against off-shore development, plus the Polar Bears MUST be protected at all costs, even if eventually humans don't make it!!!!!!! ***Wake up America* *Are you there, Politician?***
magnumCA All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:700 Points:155,075 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 5/28/2008 5:27:34 PM	Ignore magnumCA Report Abuse
	IT is not important about blame we all suffer and PAY
able2ru Rookie Author Little Rock Posts:63 Points:94,740 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 5/28/2008 12:41:45 PM	Ignore able2ru Report Abuse
	My speculation is on the Oil Industry. See if you follow my logic. They report huge profits. Then they state they need those huge profits to invest into new drilling and exploration and equipment. You never hear of new drilling anywhere. You never hear that they are exploring anywhere. You never hear they are adding new equipment anywhere. You say this is a free market, and that may be true, but when you only have two or three marketeers, and they are in cahoots with each other, then you do not really have a free market, you have a monopoly. All the "abondoned" or low production wells and "idled" refineries in this country need to be seized, by eminent domain, and put on line for the people. Open new areas for drilling, but only to those that will sell the oil at 10% less than opec. it may start small at first, but it will slowly start to unravel the greedy oil industry.
Johnnyart Rookie Author California Posts:49 Points:53,160 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 5/28/2008 3:00:21 AM	Ignore Johnnyart Report Abuse
	The Oil Companies, Government, Investors and the Customers... If we buy it, then Everyone thinks it's okay... Plan and Simple, We Must BOYCOTT!!! Use Public Transportation! Bus, Train, Subway, etc... It is DAVID (PEOPLE) VS GALIATH (OIL COMPANY'S/GOVERNMENT)...
figman Champion Author Chicago Posts:7,692 Points:2,047,860 Joined:Sep 2001	Message Posted: 5/23/2008 5:05:06 PM	Ignore figman Report Abuse
	SenileOldMan, what is Dennis Lee trying to sell?
letmathe Champion Author Chicago Posts:6,418 Points:1,593,745 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 12:37:24 PM	Ignore letmathe Report Abuse
	The last is the best hope (the first few things we should have always been doing for safety's sake.)
lparafael Champion Author Ventura Posts:2,585 Points:429,675 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:26:30 AM	Ignore lparafael Report Abuse
	We can all try to do many things to somewhat ease the pain. First, we can all try to drive slower - the speed limit isn't that slow. Try to time the lights so you don;t hit as many red lights. We can write our congressmen (and women) and senators to get them to do something - ease up on restrictions for new refineries, incentives for companies who are trying to come up with alternative energy sources.
SenileOldMan Champion Author North Carolina Posts:1,551 Points:574,015 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:23:22 AM	Ignore SenileOldMan Report Abuse
	Here's something different to chew on. Detroit is actually against better gas mileage. See this: "George Wiseman from Eagle Research, Canada, says: "Fuel injection systems are actually designed to prevent efficient combustion!" Dennis Lee from Better World Technologies, USA, says: "The computerized fuel injection system is a gatekeeper that is designed to prevent aftermarket devices that are designed to improve fuel economy. If you wonder why Detroit would be involved in that, unburned fuel eventually wears down engines so they do not last past the warranty. They call it "planned obsolescence"." Lou LaPointe from Bright Technologies, USA, calls this planned behavior "Detroit Fever". He says: "...they have sabotaged newer car computers with programming to detect high mileage and then RICHEN the mixture so you cannot maintain high mileage. ...The problem became known as Detroit Fever. The cause was the anti- mileage computer programming in new cars...the problem grows worse every year because they know they can get away with it by selling horsepower. ...the catalytic converter HIDES the fact of bad Thermal Efficiency from the car owner...You will be forced to buy a new car sooner. This situation is a direct violation of the Clean Air Acts passed in recent years. ...The fact that you are not getting good mileage is not because your car has but limited economy. It is because your car programming simply will not allow it. ...whenever you make some mileage-improving change to your engine and/ or to the fuel it is swallowing, your on-board computer will eventually detect the good MPG change and reverse it. Yes, that is true. Although it may take a tank or so of gas before the computer figures out what was done, it will eventually richen the mixture again, effectively snuffing out any temporary good mileage boost you may have gained..."
RML1 All-Star Author Chicago Posts:750 Points:111,250 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:23:15 AM	Ignore RML1 Report Abuse
	Blame is a game, and never solves any thing.
bbthegun All-Star Author San Diego Posts:616 Points:360,540 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:22:47 AM	Ignore bbthegun Report Abuse
	Okay...I admit it. I am the cause of the $4 gas. It's me. Isn't this yesterday's news? "You freakin' people! You have no idea how to defend a nation. All you did was weaken a country today Caffee. Sweat dreams son."
brogan56 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:9,019 Points:1,449,895 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:18:54 AM	Ignore brogan56 Report Abuse
	Several good comments this morning. Bottom line, there is no ONE answer. It takes creativity and willingness to change from all of us to get past this.
CatbirdWoman All-Star Author Ohio Posts:615 Points:232,730 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:18:03 AM	Ignore CatbirdWoman Report Abuse
	That's just it. That's why I said it's our fault in part, but it's some greed too. I mean if the big oil wasn't making record breaking profits, it would be not so bad, but they are! I mean, it's stupid!
acknot Veteran Author Seattle Posts:359 Points:537,785 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:16:45 AM	Ignore acknot Report Abuse
	All of us contribute in one way or another. Supply and demand, capitalism at its best.
EarlyMoose Champion Author Seattle Posts:1,359 Points:594,340 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:12:39 AM	Ignore EarlyMoose Report Abuse
	Thanks mars48. I'm just trying to keep my money in my pocket. It saves a lot if you can do some work on your car yourself too.
PCz Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,229 Points:601,190 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:12:19 AM	Ignore PCz Report Abuse
	I'm not sure what Pete Townsend has to do with any of this.
chivs Rookie Author Albany Posts:4 Points:21,055 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:11:43 AM	Ignore chivs Report Abuse
	There is no one factor to blame...we continue to drive over the speed limit, buy huge gas guzzling cars and we pay whatever they charge..the number of people who have reduced their gas consumption is far less than those who just complain and do nothing..
ramshot412 Champion Author Riverside Posts:11,053 Points:1,109,825 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:09:59 AM	Ignore ramshot412 Report Abuse
	Fencemaker-If you buy gas, then it is your fault. You are contributing to demand and the price is a product of demand. NissanGirl-Fencemaker - some of us can't be without our vehicles. We have to get to work, get groceries (which I need not say are essential), etc... It is just not possible to stop driving all together. Public transport is not readily available in all areas. Not everyone lives in metro areas where they can take the train. But fencemaker's comment is correct, if you buy gas you are part of the problem. The reason you buy is a different subject.
socalusra All-Star Author California Posts:669 Points:1,594,835 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:09:38 AM	Ignore socalusra Report Abuse
	stock market
rbrowdersr Veteran Author Detroit Posts:365 Points:354,325 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:08:05 AM	Ignore rbrowdersr Report Abuse
	Greedy manipulators.
RoadClosed Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,880 Points:596,445 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:07:37 AM	Ignore RoadClosed Report Abuse
	OPEC needs competition to bring reality back to oil pricing. Our producers need to pull back on the greed and cut prices. We also need to pull out all the stops to find alternative energy sources to reduce consumption and dependence on oil. Our refiners could also take a look at the big picture and stop wallowing in their obscene profits while everyone else suffers.
MetroSexual Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:1,359 Points:113,200 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:04:53 AM	Ignore MetroSexual Report Abuse
	Mooseman1: That is a good article and shows there are other, better alternatives. Problem is that the garbage lobby doesn't have the power of the farm lobbies. We cannot win this until we get rid of the stagnant, decaying, corrupt political system.
rjn5851 Champion Author Florida Posts:5,874 Points:1,269,360 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:04:09 AM	Ignore rjn5851 Report Abuse
	arabs..................
Zacchaeus Rookie Author Missouri Posts:71 Points:945,770 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:04:01 AM	Ignore Zacchaeus Report Abuse
	Come on guys/gals .... it's the dude on the top floor of the CBT doing the price runup. Talk to your favorite market trader. If they all shorted the oil futures we would see much lower crude. Zac
uksqueeze All-Star Author San Jose Posts:670 Points:710,335 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:03:43 AM	Ignore uksqueeze Report Abuse
	Us.
flyfast All-Star Author Kansas City Posts:612 Points:119,445 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:02:22 AM	Ignore flyfast Report Abuse
	GOV.
mars48 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:5,050 Points:982,285 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:02:01 AM	Ignore mars48 Report Abuse
	Great comment, Mooseman. What can WE do? How about - slow down. You don't need to buy a hybrid. Engineers increased mileage by over 20% in regular assembly line vehicles, just by slowing down. And they were not doing 20 mph, but the speed limits, or just a bit under. Try it! I'm telling you, you'll own the right lane - while everyone else fights for position in the left lane.
Smarty_Pants Sophomore Author Fort Worth Posts:162 Points:5,200 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:57:43 AM	Ignore Smarty_Pants Report Abuse
	Alternative fuel research is one thing, developing the infastructure is something else. Nitrogen fuel cells are doable, but the infastructure will drive the cost beyond the feasability.
cg862003 Rookie Author San Antonio Posts:51 Points:253,005 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:56:53 AM	Ignore cg862003 Report Abuse
	We need to build new refineries and start using or oil as well as develop alternative means. I do not like watching national news programs and economist say we need to increase the gas tax. That really upsests me.
Gerund1 All-Star Author Toronto Posts:686 Points:771,045 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:56:22 AM	Ignore Gerund1 Report Abuse
	There is so much blame that can be passed along it would take a short book to list them.
AlaRedNeck All-Star Author Kansas Posts:566 Points:93,150 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:55:03 AM	Ignore AlaRedNeck Report Abuse
	The ONLY answer is alternative fuels. Oil is going to run out sooner or later, it isn't renewable. If we'd spend HALF of the $700+ million a month that we are spending in Iraq on alternatice fuel research we'd all be oil free in a couple of years.
Smarty_Pants Sophomore Author Fort Worth Posts:162 Points:5,200 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:53:50 AM	Ignore Smarty_Pants Report Abuse
	Oil Tycoon, My Wallet He's a Pickin......clean that is.
NissanGirl Sophomore Author Oregon Posts:163 Points:96,210 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:52:30 AM	Ignore NissanGirl Report Abuse
	Fencemaker - some of us can't be without our vehicles. We have to get to work, get groceries (which I need not say are essential), etc... It is just not possible to stop driving all together. Public transport is not readily available in all areas. Not everyone lives in metro areas where they can take the train.
Mooseman1 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:1,436 Points:198,665 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:52:13 AM	Ignore Mooseman1 Report Abuse
	Instead of blaming let's turn it into, "what can we do about it". Garbage ethanol is a win-win alternative. Ethanol from garbage [Edited by: Mooseman1 at 5/21/2008 10:54:05 AM EST]
AlaRedNeck All-Star Author Kansas Posts:566 Points:93,150 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:52:09 AM	Ignore AlaRedNeck Report Abuse
	"Oil jumped Tuesday after oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens predicted that the commodity would hit $150 a barrel by the end of the year. Pickens told CNBC Tuesday that the surge in price is a legitimate consequence of an imbalance between supply and demand and that producers are "running out of oil." Yeah right, what else is an oilman going to say and who is going to believe it?
NavyEOD Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:1,366 Points:313,705 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:51:42 AM	Ignore NavyEOD Report Abuse
	I know we need to find better alternative fuels.
Smarty_Pants Sophomore Author Fort Worth Posts:162 Points:5,200 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:49:59 AM	Ignore Smarty_Pants Report Abuse
	We must develop our own resources, and not be at the feet of rogue nations that set un-reasonable demands.
AlaRedNeck All-Star Author Kansas Posts:566 Points:93,150 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:49:40 AM	Ignore AlaRedNeck Report Abuse
	"Oil soared past $130 a barrel for the first time this morning, touching $130.38 a barrel." MSN Money this morning.
divineaim13 Rookie Author Akron Posts:1 Points:170 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:48:58 AM	Ignore divineaim13 Report Abuse
	THEY CAN RIP US OFF AND WE STILL KEEP BUYING. BUSH'S BUDDIES ARE MAKING THEIR LAST BILLIONS BEFORE HE LEAVES. i AM REALLY PISSED THAT THE GAS STATIONS WONT GIVE THEIR CURRENT PRICE. THEY ARE A BUSINESS IT IS JUST WRONG.
yelobus Veteran Author Houston Posts:363 Points:451,260 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:48:28 AM	Ignore yelobus Report Abuse
	Gas costs $4 because we are willling to pay it.
MetroSexual Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:1,359 Points:113,200 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:48:23 AM	Ignore MetroSexual Report Abuse
	If you don't know what it feels like to live through a major economic depression, get ready. CNN just announced that oil has gone above $130/barrel. There isn't anyone who will not be affected by this in a negative way. I only hope everyone is more than one paycheck away from the street. It can happen in a flash.
AlaRedNeck All-Star Author Kansas Posts:566 Points:93,150 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:48:17 AM	Ignore AlaRedNeck Report Abuse
	How is it Obama's fault? He doesn't control anything, he didn't start any illegal wars or ignore the will of the people. You are stretching here.
MetroManiac All-Star Author Rochester Posts:720 Points:68,885 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:48:15 AM	Ignore MetroManiac Report Abuse
	very weak dollar, no buying power
Fencemaker All-Star Author Pittsburgh Posts:543 Points:129,000 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:46:45 AM	Ignore Fencemaker Report Abuse
	If you buy gas, then it is your fault. You are contributing to demand and the price is a product of demand.
mplambert54 Rookie Author Columbus Posts:12 Points:8,770 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:45:04 AM	Ignore mplambert54 Report Abuse
	Everyone has played a part. And yet, we complain about it and do nothing to fix it.
jjulson All-Star Author North Dakota Posts:683 Points:228,375 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:44:18 AM	Ignore jjulson Report Abuse
	Many factors one being we forgot the 70's but much of the popluation was not around in the 70's
AlaRedNeck All-Star Author Kansas Posts:566 Points:93,150 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:41:26 AM	Ignore AlaRedNeck Report Abuse
	It's our fault for not learning our lessons from the oil embargo of the 70's...and if prices go back down a bit we will forget what we have learned from this latest round of price hikes.
DST43 Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:1,615 Points:285,825 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 9:39:40 AM	Ignore DST43 Report Abuse
	we all are