to solve the gas problem the govt can put an adjustable processing tax on the oil companies (apt) make gas a stable 189 a gallon, so no matter how much the price of a barrel of oil goes up or down the price will stay the same,, put it under the umbrella of the patriot act, and claim its a matter of national economic security,, why wont they do that?
135247
George bush.the big oil company who put him in office will cry like little babes if they done that .now the dems want to do all of this but they have no control.it suck i know.that why everyone should vote these idiot out of office come this election this fall.
459154
Republicans already have the oil giants in Washington.  That's why the prices went down when they were running for office.  But they did jack up the prices while the Republicans reigned -- and made $9 BILLION in profits in one QUARTER.  Working people had to get rid of their cars and take the bus.\n\nSupport the new government.  They will need your ideas and help.
125349
no gas prices should go higher!!\n\nthen maybe fat a**es will stop driving their big fat SUV's, take a bus\nand other technologies will be developed\n\nthe gov't did not create the "gas problem" people being lazy did
592980
As you know, the cost of crude refineries pay is set across the board globally. Which in turn they charge the same price. It is mainly these franchise gas station compnaies that change the price, who are told to change the price as the market flucuates. Which in turn the station across the street wants to stay competitive by adjusting their price accordingly, up or down. It's all about the supply and demand now. The United States uses approx. 84 million barrels a day, when our supply is just 85 million.\nAnyway, here is a good couple vids to watch.
377958
The Dems will eliminate the tax breaks that "Big Oil" have, and that will result in Big Oil passing the extra expense along to the consumer. Also, Jim Oberstar will head the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and he has stated he will raise the gas tax to pay for the programs he wants put into place.\n\nI wouldn't be surprised if the price at the pumps jumps to over $4.00 a gallon.
230729
Not that I am for this--But dear it wouldn't matter and why you ask---well here is an article--this is starting to open up a new can of worms--please understand--Anyone in the world could have all the oil in the world..and it really wouldn't matter at this point...\n\n$3-a-gallon gas: Blame Washington, not Big Oil\nWhat's driving up gas prices? It's not just higher crude costs; it's new regulations.\nNelson D. Schwartz\nMay 3, 2006: 2:20 PM EDT\n\n\n(FORTUNE Magazine) - With gas prices roaring past $3 a gallon and consumer fury rising even faster, Congress and the White House are engaged in a Kabuki-like ritual: pointing fingers at each other over who's to blame, while furiously attacking Big Oil for reaping gargantuan profits - as drivers get hosed at the pump.\n\nIf the politicians really want to figure out who's responsible for the latest round of price increases, though, they'd be better off looking in the mirror. That's because the rise isn't only due to higher crude costs. It's also fallout from some little-noticed provisions in the energy bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush last summer.\n\nBuried in the 551-page energy bill - which was supposed to ease energy shortages, not worsen them - were new regulations governing what additives go into gasoline and how it's refined. Corn-based ethanol is replacing the petroleum-derived additive MTBE, but Congress timed this logistically tricky switchover to occur just as demand for gasoline peaked ahead of the summer driving season - right about now.\n\nThe end result is an extra strain on the refining and distribution system when it can least afford it.\n\n"It's too late now, but Congress has consistently failed to sequence regulatory requirements in a responsible fashion," says Bob Slaughter, president of the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association.\n\nAdds Larry Goldstein of the Petroleum Industry Research Foundation: "The gasoline crisis is made in the U.S.A., not in Iran or Venezuela or Nigeria. At least half the increase in gasoline prices is due to unintended consequences of the energy bill, but no one in Washington wants to admit that."\n\nIndeed, while crude prices have risen 21% since the end of 2005, gasoline is up 37% - a sign of just how stretched the system is. Congress's mistake, says Goldstein, was setting the new law to go into effect 270 days after it was signed - May 5 - rather than waiting until fall, when gas demand is typically on the downswing.\n\nNow the big question is, How high can gas go? Well, perhaps the only good thing that can be said about paying three bucks per gallon is that it seems to be slowing consumption - which should, in turn, reduce prices. Over a four-week period in April, says oil analyst Jamal Qureshi of consulting firm PFC Energy, U.S. gasoline demand dropped by half a percent, to just over nine million barrels a day. That may not sound like much, but it's a reversal from the 1.7% average annual increase in gas consumption the U.S. has experienced over the past decade. If $3 is indeed the tipping point at which consumers change their behavior and alter their driving habits, it's the one silver lining in an otherwise very dark cloud for drivers.\n\nThe wildcard in this scenario, of course, is the increasing risk of a military confrontation with Iran. If that happens, says Qureshi, "all bets are off." Given that crude oil accounts for 55% of the cost of each gallon of gas (refining accounts for 22%, taxes for 19%, and distribution and marketing for 4%), an upward spike in crude oil would push gas up even if the bottlenecks caused by the energy bill ease this summer.\n\nThat's why Red Cavaney, president of the American Petroleum Institute, says the answer in the short term is conservation. Washington is indeed being turned upside down when it's left to Cavaney, Big Oil's chief lobbyist, to talk conservat
231585
Why add more taxes that will just get passed down to the consumer making it more expensive?  The idea to tax someone because they make money after decades of $20 barrel oil, not being able to explore due to the cost involved and congress forbidding drilling off-shore just last week.\n\nCongress, the environmentalist, and the problems in the Middle East (every time Iran's President threatens someone the price goes up thanks to the stock market) are to be blamed, in spite of the fact they are trying to do the popular thing and blame business.
118837
As some rapper once said (sorry, not a rap fan), and it applies to everything the government has done forever...\n\n"If it don't make dollars then it don't make sense."\n\nThe article should clear up exactly how oil is involved in our situation...to say we are going to war to get the oil is putting it too simply, that's not the end reason.  The reason we need the oil is to cover for our weak dollar and our manufacturing going over-seas.
213525
Are you people serious? our oil and gasoline is Subsidized by the US government.  While your crying about $3 a gallon for gasoline, Europe is paying upwards of $7 a liter for their petrol.  The government is the only thing keeping you driving the 4X4 and giant SUV, wake up.\n\nEdit: and while your on Yahoo Answers moaning to all of your "friends" about how evil a democracy the US gov't is, they are loosening the restrictions on your car's waste output, and opening the countries fuel supply for personal use so YOU don't have to ride your bike to the mall tomorrow.\n\nEdit2: YES they CAN use the excuse they cannot convert oil->gasoline.  We are currently refining at MAX capacity (when weather systems allow) We havn't made a new refinery since the 70s, and since it take almost 20 YEARS to complete a new refinery, don't hold your breath. (10 years to complete an oil rig)  Also, why the hell would Exon make a new refinery? From a business standpoint, they have NO motivation to do so, they are getting prime price for their product.
431860
I say bring it on. And, after the investigations have concluded you will hear that they find no wrongdoing. I know you libs and your conspiracies have it all figured out, but oil companies do not make but 8 or 9% profit on gasoline. Your answer for everything is more government control. It's supply and demand, THAT is what drives prices and we are in competition with China since we are the two countries who consume most of the oil in the world. Oh, one more thing, It's not George W. Bush's fault either!\n\nExcellent post! It's nice to know there are like minded people out there.
301469
Gas prices will never go down. You might see a small reduction after a massive increase, but $3 a pop is now the price. I bet you will see $3.50 a gallon by the end of summer.\n\nWith your suggestions I believe you think American corporate price gouging is the cause for high prices. Most people point to supply and demand. But if price gouging is a factor, I fear there is no solution.  That is what Capitalism is all about.\n\nMost of middle America hates the prices, but loves the profits they are accruing with stocks in their 401K. ExxonMobile made $10 million in one month, made $1 billion last quarter. ConnocoPhilips made about 1/3 that in profits as well.\n\nThere just aren't enough people in the country that don't profit from selling gas to go beyond complaining about the price.  A boycott will not work.\n\nThe only thing we can hope for is the Feds suspend their gas tax for awhile.\n\nEDIT:\nOn another note, we Americans are too damn hypocritical.  We want the world to be democratic & capitolistic, but when oil prices rise, we want our people and government to act more with socialism values.  People chanted in the streets "No blood for oil!" when protesting in the 1990's, but now Americans want their oil.  What the hell is wrong with us?
360456
The chances that big oil has tried to influence the election by selling cut rate gas are pretty high. I am sure they can see that a Republican House and Senate is definitely an advantage to them. As is, the the Dems will make some gains, but no where near what they would if gas was above $3.\n\nI don't think they would let it be so obvious by letting the price rise to $3 by Jan 1. But, $3 by July 1, 2007? Very likely.
635895
The government doesn't have to validate gas prices.\n\nThe american people (i'm one!) just accept what those in power do to them while watching American Idol and Survivor.\n\nSuch is the circus...
593245
I dont disagree with your theory.  I just want to add one of my own that helped push the prices up.\n\nA few years ago the oil futures went on the public trading market.  Yes.  The public, the entity as a whole that believed everything from the world is flat to Milli Vanilli can sing, is at the helm of the future prices of crude.  Can you imagine what happens when the public hears that there was a problem, of any magnitude, to a oil line or ship?  What happens when summer comes around and naturally the public again buys up all the oil futures in hopes to make a quick buck.\n\nGreed is what drives prices.  The greedy people that are making the money will call it marketing/economics.  No one entity is to blame for the results.  It would be too easy.  Just dont leave out anyone at fault.  Bush, Iraq, war, EPA, tax, and even the public are all together and individually at fault.
435138
gas and oil prices are determined by supply and demand on the world market.  Neither oil companies nor republicans control prices. Only thing they could do is build more refineries, which would result in greater supplies of gasoline, which would reduce prices further.  Liberals don't like refineries, because they think they cause pollution  and are beholden to the environmental lobbyists.  Oil companies don't build refineries, because they can't with govt approval and they're making big profits as things are, so there's no incentive to build them.
132188
Check your facts, and then find new sources for your information.\nOPEC determines oil prices.\nIn 1973 they did it creating our first 'gas crisis' in retaliation for our involvment in and equipping of Isreal for their war with Egypt.\nAs long as the liberal qwacks keep preventing drilling in Alaska, we'll have a shortage.\nUntil GAS COMPANIES and CAR MANUFACTURES stop preventing alternative fuel sources.\nAnd until idiots like you stop making up phony questions.
654729
good luck with that....you know there is always a counter balance. Like free health care in Canada=Extremely high taxes. It would only be the same here. Less or no taxes would equal something else. I am sure there is something that is equaling out in Alaska. There has to be. Be careful what you wish for. We really do not have it that bad you know. We bitch about gas prices...but comparatively...gas prices in the states is really good compared to Europe...some places it is upwards of 7 dollars a gallon.  Just leave things as it is....it is really not that bad.