what are some counter arguments to gas prices being lowered?
600132
Why arn't gas companies allowed to make a profit? There are other industries that make more than the oil industry.  They have to make money for their stockholders just like every other company out there.
1120593
They are but prices for gas right now are through the roof. Try at least $3.50 for a gallon of gas. Everything is more expensive. There are a lot of locals who don't like tourist/ military here.
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...
481501
Ok, for the person who answered "LOWER GAS PRICES," you are completely uneducated. The president can't lower gas prices. NATO is mostly in charge of that. He could help by getting the senate to drill in Alaska for oil. (back to the question)\n\nI have to say Close down the borders. That is a security issue for the United States. ANYONE can go through the Mexican or Canadian border, which could cause another Terrorist Attack if we're not careful. The Mexicans are trying to take over America. We need to do something with them, and fast. \n\nThe Liberals believe they should all become citizens so they will vote "Democrat" in the next election. The Liberals have no idea what the Mexicans will do to our country. People say "oh we need them, they do the work that Americans don't do!" Well, what did the Egyptians find out when they had no water...MOVE toward the Nile...meaning find an alternative way of completing the task.
1026623
Inflation.  Today's high gas prices are caused not by shortages, as the world is awash with oil.  The current pricing is driven by distribution.  Any disruption of the distribution process creates shortages, which lead to scarcity and high prices.  Current oil prices are driven by speculation in the oil commodities market.  At some point, fuel alternatives will be developed, and prices will abate.  When that happens, speculators holding high priced oil futures contracts will lose money.  The propensity is to keep prices high to avoid loss.  When, and if oil production in offshore Gulf of Mexico come back on line, oil prices will drop, probably sharply.\nThe price of petroleum affects every aspect in the production of economic goods and services, worldwide.
517644
I don't want to create a conspiracy theory here - that the gas companies haven't built refineries, so that the supply has remained steady whereas demand skyrocketed, driving up the price...as the companies have seen quarterly profits that are unheard of.  I won't try and say that this was a carefully constructed plot on their behalf, ahem.  Well, ok, I don't think it is but I do think that they've been cheap and that their current plans to expand existing refineries won't solve our problems.\n\nDemand for energy will continue to grow (disproportionately here in the U.S...) and I really believe STRONGLY in seeking alternative sources of energy so that we can not only reduce costs for Americans (costs for living...crude oil costs affect EVERYTHING...prodution, shipping...driving up prices...costs to commute, etc.) but will reduce our dependence on foreign oil - doesn't get much better than THAT!!
261865
Demand is Growing:  More people own an SUV (gas hogs).\nIf everyone would switch to a hybrid vehicle, they would cut their need for gas by 65%.  Demand would fall and gas prices would fall.  \nUnfortunately there are too many irresponsible people in the world and this will ultimately lead to our demise.
373802
Eventually, the demand for oil will continue to increase and the supply will continue the decrease.  The only practical solution is to move towards alternative fuel.
491113
There is none, if inflation had followed suit with everything else clothes, food, building supplies etc.It would be over 3 dollars a gallon.The problem is people actually give idiots like micheal moore and al fraken credibility, its uncanny!!!!They have both been proven to be liars.One of the biggest reasons gas prices increase is simply speculative theory!! we went to war for humanitarian reasons, those people want us there they were under dictatorship. clinton sent soliders into Bosnia in 98 and knowone had a problem with that, it was for humanitarian reasons or so we thought.The real problem a lot of people have with this is the time its taking but you cant put a time frame on something like this.
853642
-We need better transit. This means cutting OPEC out of our budgets, from the Federal level down to the Individual level. The alternatives are fastly approaching, but, the government can make it happen faster: \n\n--B-100 Biodiesel is 0% petroleum, and consumable by modern deisel engines. The fuel can be created from plants, and therefore increase our agricultural base, bringing closed farms back to the forefront of the backbone of America\n\n--H2 vehicles will be able to give us a more oxygenated and humidified environment, with no flourocarbons. These vehicles run faster, quieter, and are healthier for us. There are surely other alternatives to petroleum oil.\n\n-We need faith in ourselves. Taking a note from history, and re-instituting the CC Camps would put people in a job, and help them build something of lasting value in the nation. My grandfather helped to build firewatch towers and ranger stations for the CC Camps, and those in turn, helped prevent the spread of forrest fires.\n\n-Our closest neighbors need to be our best defenders. By reaching out, and helping our neighbors in real, and meaningful ways, we can reduce the resentment against us, internationally.
924983
That is negative reinforcement of an idea. \n\nIf you drive, we will punish you with Tolls. \n\nThe real solution is providing alternatives that are cheaper and better than owning a car. \n\nideas:\n- More convenient, cleaner and more affordable rail, bus, and door-to-door (taxi) services. \n- Tax incentives for hybrids, etc.\n- HOV lanes to encourage car-pooling\n- Change in attitude about work-from-home arrangements\n- Less urban sprawl!!!!! (property tax on a home is among the WORST ways for a city to earn $$$)
628324
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?
1089171
apresocratic,\nRawk on, man!  I want what you're on...\n\nAdrian,\nYes, there are barriers in the U.S. government that are slowing the transition down.  However, keep in mind that big Oil companies are actually evolving into big Energy companies, buying into whatever will lead our future markets.  Everyone knows Oil is a time bomb waiting to go off and die out.  There's no reason not to encourage alternative fuel sources.\n\nAt the same time, we'll never be 100% off of foreign oil before it's gone, but that doesn't mean we can't get consumption down to a respectable number so that fluctuations in price stop having an immediate impact on our economy.
949639
If pols could control gas prices, it would always be cheap.\nIf oil cos could control prices it would always be expensive.\nWhat can we conclude from this?
724775
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.
208209
There is going to be a cascading effect.  The price of gas goes up the cost of heating the house goes up the cost of shipping goes up the things that you buy in the market go up because they have to pay extra for shipping.  The cost of electricity goes up because they are effected as well. The American market is heavily dependent on fossil fuels.  That is why we need to find alternatives.
447353
I'm sure you already know my position on the futility of a boycott, but here's the link just in case: http://www.snopes.com/politics/gasoline/gasout.asp\n\nOf course, you're still free to boycott the companies.  Do you actually have solid proof (news links, graphs of average gas prices in Tenn with a time series plot, or anything else similar)?  Or is this just a statement phrased like a question?