why people don't do nothing about gas prices to go down?
354696
People need to conserve energy, like not drive gas guzzling cars and SUV's.  People in Europe do not drive SUV's for the most part so the "I need the extra room" argument does not actually hold true.  Now days oil is not just gasoline like everyone thinks, oil is a key ingredient in: CD's, computers, deodorant, DVD's, dyes, furniture, paint, shampoo, clothing, toothpaste and on and on.  We went through this in the 1970's and nobody learned the lesson then.  Back then they drove gas guzzling cars the energy crunch hit, people bought small cars.  Prices went back down over time then everyone forgot...  Nobody want to drill offshore California, or the east coast or Alaska, all this would help bring on more production so now we have to buy our oil from overseas in unstable countries.  Lets look at refining, nobody wants a refinery in their back yard so those to have been going overseas, meaning we are at other counties mercy there too.  Oil companies are not to blame, we are.  We need to quit thinking we have a right to cheap energy and that it will always be there.  We need to develop alternative sources of energy.\n\nThis country imports over 50% of it oil from other countries.  They have us by the #@*&'s!\n\nLastly, most of what is in the price of gasoline is tax.  Yes that's right tax you can thank your state and the federal govt.  see http://api-ec.api.org/filelibrary/Gasoline-taxes.
323088
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 $4 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 of the other answers point to supply and demand.  But if price gouging is a factor, I fear there is no solution.\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.
461481
It's called capitalism.  Supply and demand.  Those who have it sell it for as high a price as they can get.  Those who need it have to shop around for the lowest price they can.  Eventually, the gas gets so expensive people will have to walk or ride bikes.  Then fewer people buy it, and the price goes down.  In socialist countries, they put a $2 tax on it to encourage people to walk.\n\nBlowing people up starts wars.  People die.  Doesn't work out well in the long run.
464248
Greed at it worst. I received an email last week asking that you do not buy Exxon/Mobil gas, saying that you can't ask people not to drive but if you boycott the biggest oil co out there that their prices will have to come down and the the other companies' will have to follow suit. if enough people were to do this it would work. The email also suggested you don't buy Exxon/Mobil until the price gets down to $1.30 gal
1026029
Greed.  Plain and simple.  Most store owners will tell you they make very little money on the gas.  It's all the soda, beer, smokes, and snacks that brings in the buck. But if they can get an extra few cents profit on gas, they will nickle and dime you to death!
242160
Gas station owners...Greed mainly.  We have no competition here so we are at the mercy of the few people that own the gas stations.\n\n$2.37 per gallon today. Cheapest grade
339321
PRICE GOUGING IS AGAINST THE LAW\nBUT OIL PEOPLE ARE GETTIN FATTER AND WE AS SHEEP GO ON FOLLOWING\nKEY WORD=PETITION AGAINST IT/ MAKE DEMOCRACY WORK
317783
The people as a whole can solve this problem by using as little gas as possible until prices go down.  Take public transportation, walk or bike whenever possible.  Car pool to and from work or school.  Find things to do at home on the weekends instead of going out.  These ideas have been repeated for years I know, but they are as true now as they were 20 years ago.\n\nIf we reduce our use of gas enough than the Oil companies will be forced to lower their prices.\n\nRelying on the government to "fix" economic problems makes the economy worse rather than better and that is true under any president or any congress.
1119538
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...
475568
I think that most Americans have stopped buying "unnecessary" fuel, but they are making more than enough money back off of just the necessary fuel (fuel that is needed for daily life, not all of us can walk to work/carpool)... if you have to have it, you have to have it... cuting consumption further isn't an option for most...\n\nSo what happens when capitiolism fails... seems like we are reaching that point with oil... increasing costs could have a crippling effect on our economy through inflation (especially if costs continue to go up)... is it worth it?\n\nThe reserves should have been released a while back... that's just silly, but that's also a Bush...
68168
Gas prices are set based on supply and demand. If more people are using gas or there is a lower amount of gas being produced then the prices will go up.\n\nThe recent increase in prices is probably due to the growing tension with Iran. If for some reason the oil from Iran is cut off, there will be less production.
460217
People as citizens of this country need to realize that they have the power to buy: "Customer is King." If you think an item or service is over-priced, go shop around the market. You will find a better deal. Just don't go the gas station around the corner and fill your tank. Shop around. Some stations have a cheaper rate. It may not be much, but for those who have to commute on a regular basis, you will be getting more for your dollars.\n\nProtesting in the U.S. equates to whining and griping, but no real action. Peaceful protesting will get the media's attention as well as the private executives. Grass roots movement can change a lot. Walking, car pooling, using public transportation are other effective alternatives. When my parents protested for civil rights during the '60s and the Vietnam War in the '70s, they actually came on the streets. Politicians and corporations will take note of this.\n\nI've also heard that you can't blame the Federal government for hikes in gas prices. True! But also, the administration and its policy makers should not be giving them tax breaks, also known as "corporate welfare." Exxon Mobil does not deserve a tax break.\n\nRemember, you as a buyer can control certain things. If a retailer is not giving you a good deal, don't go there and let him know about it. Demand controls supply.
371004
Most gas stations, even those with well known names, will typically get their gasoline from the most economical source as long as it meets their specifications. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy from a local refinery and save the cost of hauling from your own refinery.\n\nActually I buy a lot from Exxon because their prices are 1 to 3 cents below the next closest gas station.\n\nThe idea that you can force gas prices down is a pipe dream. You can boycott all you want, there is a very high demand for gasoline and that will only go higher with a resulting further rise in gasoline prices.
436573
Good for you, as you are on the right track.  If everyone decided to take two days off from work, say a thursday and friday and for those two days and the weekend no one drives or uses gas what the impact would be.  OPEC TO THE KNEES begging us to take their crude on the buy one get one free plan.  I have often said the same thing you did but I think billboards and a planned event of 'JUST STOP'.  This would be an event, if it could be pulled off, that would change the manner the oil people do business.  After all, look at what they do to their customers, me and you.  Do you think they would care after 4 continual days of no sales at the pumps??  There has to be more like us and when the number grows to be significant that are willing to perform such a simple task to such a major impacting event we will again be in control.  Where did we lose it, by hanging our heads and bitching every time we fuel.  The station attendant has nothing to do with it so I tell people, if you are going to do nothing about it don't bitch cause I do not want to hear it.  Bless you as I thought I was the only one with that philosophy.  There is hope.
348677
The way gas prices are set is extremely complex, it depends on a variety of factors. It's too difficult to explain in a few sentences but here's a link that does a very good job explaining how the prices are set:\nhttp://money.howstuffworks.com/gas-price.htm\n\nIn general ,however, you can't look at something simply in terms of price. \nLet's take Norway for example, the salaries there are higher then in the US. Also the main way people people move around is via public transportation ,not cars, hence, the demand for gas is much lower, which in turn drives the prices up. Higher taxes and enviormental processing requirements also drive up the cost significantly. Additionally, the Norwegian government is very conservative when it come to money, although, they have the biggest oil reserve in the Europe, they choose to save it for a rainy day rather then sell it cheaply to their citizen (like Venezuela and Brazil does). They are the richest country in the world for a reason.
412239
absolutley nothing would happen...everyone would buy gas either the day before or the day after, a one day boycott woud do nothing. G.W. Bush does not set the prices for oil...if Americans would accept that OPEC sets the prices and not be afraid to drill in less than 1/10th of one percent of AnWar and in the gulf of mexico (hwere communist cuba already drills) and decreasing the dependancy on foreign supplies, andin the mean time pursue feasible alternate fuels can we do something about the "HIGH" prices of gas.
131248
Consumer economy. Gas has historically been much cheaper than any other source of fuel. When it's price rose in those countries, only THEN did they move to alternative fuels. Same goes for what will happen here. Gas has priced itself out of our market now.