Bush's call for "more diesel"

My guess is that it'll go nowhere because the oil lobbyists and their
puppets in the government will squish it.

This country's not ready for true energy reform. Way too many
"special interests" out there.


Hank > wrote in
:

> Just a lurker here...
>
> In last weeks Arizona Republic newspaper here in Phoenix they ran an
> article on 20%gasoline/80% grain alchol. It is available in Tucson
> for $1.83/gallon and runs in about 80% of the vehicles on the road
> without any changes. It went on to say that it was even cheaper in
> the midwest where we have an oversupply of grain and it is produced
> locally.
>
> I have not seen much else on this. Too bad. That would cut back our
> reliance on foreign oil.
>
> hank
>
> On Mon, 09 May 2005 10:47:55 GMT, Joe >
> wrote:
>
>>Check this story out:
>>
>>http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-
11forum09may09,0,775056.
>>story?coll=sfla-news-opinion
>>
>>It's written by Edwin Reubins, a retired professor of economics,
>>CUNY.
>>
>>
>>"Michael Johnson, PE" > wrote in
:
>>
>>> disneyfan.nyc wrote:
>>>> One of the reaons CA has such high gas taxes is because they have
>>>> almost no toll roads and gasoline taxes pay for road upkeep.
>>>
>>> The reason they have such high gas taxes is the State is addicted
>>> to revenue and will break the financial backs of the hard working
>>> citizens to support their habit.
>>>
>>>> I recently moved back east from CA to NJ. The gas prices here
>>>> are some of the lowest in the nation but guess what? NJ has
>>>> robably the *crappiest* roads in the nation (Jersey Turnpike and
>>>> Garden State Parkway aside of course - these are toll roads).
>>>> Anyone out there who's driven out of the Holland Tunnel onto the
>>>> 1/9 road over the Pulaski skyway to Newark Airport can attest to
>>>> this.
>>>
>>> The real reason the CA roads are better than NJ roads is due to
>>> weather.
>>> The more freeze/thaw cycles the ground under a road experiences
>>> the
>>> more damage it receives. Also, when water seeps into cracks and
>>> freezes it expands and further damages the paving material. CA
>>> has nice roads for the same reason Florida, Virginia, Alabama and
>>> Arizona does. NJ has bad roads for the same reason Indiana,
>>> Michigan and NY does. It has very little to do with the amount of
>>> tax each state gets from a gallon of gas.
>>>
>>> CA likes people who believe these kind of falsehoods. It allows
>>> them to keep taxing while the public just grins and thanks them
>>> for the nice roads. The CA public really needs to thank Mother
>>> Nature.
>>>
>>>> Putting that aside.....it's pure bulls**t when the oil companies
>>>> blame taxes for high gas prices. The taxes are what they
>>>> are....prices are raised and lowered by the oil companies. If
>>>> the oil companies didn't have such a stranglehold on our nation
>>>> for nearly 60 years, we wouldn't be in this mess. We'd have
>>>> other sources of energy that could run our cars.
>>>
>>> It's easy to blame the oil companies. They are a big, easy
>>> target. We tend to forget that to a large extent it has been oil
>>> that has allowed the human race to advance to what we are today.
>>> We sure don't mind consuming their product. If the oil companies
>>> charge more than the market will bare then a different energy
>>> source will be developed. Oil companies have competition.
>>> Unfortunately, the government has a monopoly on levying taxes.
>>> Maybe a little competition for them would be good for us poor tax
>>> payers.
>>>
>>>> Michael Johnson, PE wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> If we would all make it clear that high gasoline taxes are
>>>>> unacceptable and vote accordingly then those taxes would vanish
>>>>> very quickly.
>>>>>
>>>>> Spike wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Tax or no tax, you're still paying what you pay. Just like in
>>>>>> California. I makes no difference what the state tax and the
>>>>>> fed tax are, I still have to pay whatever the pump price is.
>>>>>> On Sat, 07 May 2005 22:39:32 -0700, Quiet Desperation
>>>>>> > wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> In article >, Michael
>>>>>>> Johnson, PE > wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Ouch! I guess I'm 10 years behind the times then.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> You also have to take local gas taxes into account. I believe
>>>>>>> much of the EU has enormous gas taxes.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hey! Spikey Likes IT!
>>>>>> 1965 Ford Mustang fastback 2+2 A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok
>>>>>> Vintage Burgundy w/Black Standard Interior
>>>>>> Vintage 40 Wheels 16X8"
>>>>>> w/BF Goodrich Comp T/A Radial 225/50ZR16
>>>
>
>

When I see the ridiculous profits the oil companies are reaping, price
control makes a helluva lot of sense.


"Michael Johnson, PE" > wrote in
:

> I don't think government price fixing is the answer to high gas
> prices.
> Unfortunately we are not the world's 800lb energy gorilla anymore
> and
> therefore can't influence the price of crude oil like we once could.
> Developing countries like China, India and numerous smaller third
> world nations are increasing the global demand for energy. The
> demand is going to rise (along with the price) for well into the
> future. IMO, we need something to shock us (USA, Japan, Europe
> etc.) into finding alternative sources of energy and to be more
> efficient users. Unfortunately that shock will likely be economic in
> nature. The government needs to coordinate/facilitate private
> industries efforts to wean us from having a huge dependence on
> petroleum. Unfortunately the Government doesn't seem to be willing
> to take on this role and probably won't do it until the public
> demands it by electing officials that will get the job done.
>
> Joe wrote:
>> Check this story out:
>>
>> http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-
11forum09may09,0,775056
>> .story?coll=sfla-news-opinion
>>
>> It's written by Edwin Reubins, a retired professor of economics,
>> CUNY.
>>
>>
>> "Michael Johnson, PE" > wrote in
>> :
>>
>>
>>>disneyfan.nyc wrote:
>>>
>>>>One of the reaons CA has such high gas taxes is because they have
>>>>almost no toll roads and gasoline taxes pay for road upkeep.
>>>
>>>The reason they have such high gas taxes is the State is addicted
>>>to revenue and will break the financial backs of the hard working
>>>citizens to support their habit.
>>>
>>>
>>>>I recently moved back east from CA to NJ. The gas prices here are
>>>>some of the lowest in the nation but guess what? NJ has robably
>>>>the *crappiest* roads in the nation (Jersey Turnpike and Garden
>>>>State Parkway aside of course - these are toll roads). Anyone out
>>>>there who's driven out of the Holland Tunnel onto the 1/9 road
>>>>over the Pulaski skyway to Newark Airport can attest to this.
>>>
>>>The real reason the CA roads are better than NJ roads is due to
>>>weather.
>>> The more freeze/thaw cycles the ground under a road experiences
>>> the
>>>more damage it receives. Also, when water seeps into cracks and
>>>freezes it expands and further damages the paving material. CA has
>>>nice roads for the same reason Florida, Virginia, Alabama and
>>>Arizona does. NJ has bad roads for the same reason Indiana,
>>>Michigan and NY does. It has very little to do with the amount of
>>>tax each state gets from a gallon of gas.
>>>
>>>CA likes people who believe these kind of falsehoods. It allows
>>>them to keep taxing while the public just grins and thanks them for
>>>the nice roads. The CA public really needs to thank Mother Nature.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Putting that aside.....it's pure bulls**t when the oil companies
>>>>blame taxes for high gas prices. The taxes are what they
>>>>are....prices are raised and lowered by the oil companies. If the
>>>>oil companies didn't have such a stranglehold on our nation for
>>>>nearly 60 years, we wouldn't be in this mess. We'd have other
>>>>sources of energy that could run our cars.
>>>
>>>It's easy to blame the oil companies. They are a big, easy target.
>>>We tend to forget that to a large extent it has been oil that has
>>>allowed the human race to advance to what we are today. We sure
>>>don't mind consuming their product. If the oil companies charge
>>>more than the market will bare then a different energy source will
>>>be developed. Oil companies have competition. Unfortunately, the
>>>government has a monopoly on levying taxes. Maybe a little
>>>competition for them would be good for us poor tax payers.
>>>
>>>
>>>>Michael Johnson, PE wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>If we would all make it clear that high gasoline taxes are
>>>>>unacceptable and vote accordingly then those taxes would vanish
>>>>>very quickly.
>>>>>
>>>>>Spike wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Tax or no tax, you're still paying what you pay. Just like in
>>>>>>California. I makes no difference what the state tax and the fed
>>>>>>tax are, I still have to pay whatever the pump price is.
>>>>>>On Sat, 07 May 2005 22:39:32 -0700, Quiet Desperation
> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>In article >, Michael
>>>>>>>Johnson, PE > wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Ouch! I guess I'm 10 years behind the times then.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>You also have to take local gas taxes into account. I believe
>>>>>>>much of the EU has enormous gas taxes.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Hey! Spikey Likes IT!
>>>>>>1965 Ford Mustang fastback 2+2 A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok
>>>>>>Vintage Burgundy w/Black Standard Interior
>>>>>>Vintage 40 Wheels 16X8"
>>>>>>w/BF Goodrich Comp T/A Radial 225/50ZR16
>>>
>>

RichA > wrote in
:

> On Mon, 09 May 2005 10:47:55 GMT, Joe >
> wrote:
>
>>Check this story out:
>>
>>http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-
11forum09may09,0,775056.
>>story?coll=sfla-news-opinion
>>
>>It's written by Edwin Reubins, a retired professor of economics,
>>CUNY.
> Price controls? I'd check out actual world demand for oil before
> jumping on that bandwagon.
> -Rich

Check out the oil companies' profits first.

I would think about giving them incentives to develop alternative energy
sources. Maybe tie their tax rate to importation of foreign oil too.
We need to be much more self sufficient. The only way to drop the price
is to increase supply.

I see the same huge profits in the housing industry right now in the
Washington, DC area. There are way more buyers than homes. Funny how
the homeowners that complain about the oil company profits don't mind
selling their home and gouging the next buyer for a $500k profit.

Joe wrote:
> When I see the ridiculous profits the oil companies are reaping, price
> control makes a helluva lot of sense.
>
>
> "Michael Johnson, PE" > wrote in
> :
>
>
>>I don't think government price fixing is the answer to high gas
>>prices.
>> Unfortunately we are not the world's 800lb energy gorilla anymore
>> and
>>therefore can't influence the price of crude oil like we once could.
>>Developing countries like China, India and numerous smaller third
>>world nations are increasing the global demand for energy. The
>>demand is going to rise (along with the price) for well into the
>>future. IMO, we need something to shock us (USA, Japan, Europe
>>etc.) into finding alternative sources of energy and to be more
>>efficient users. Unfortunately that shock will likely be economic in
>>nature. The government needs to coordinate/facilitate private
>>industries efforts to wean us from having a huge dependence on
>>petroleum. Unfortunately the Government doesn't seem to be willing
>>to take on this role and probably won't do it until the public
>>demands it by electing officials that will get the job done.
>>
>>Joe wrote:
>>
>>>Check this story out:
>>>
>>>http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-
>
> 11forum09may09,0,775056
>
>>>.story?coll=sfla-news-opinion
>>>
>>>It's written by Edwin Reubins, a retired professor of economics,
>>>CUNY.
>>>
>>>
>>>"Michael Johnson, PE" > wrote in
:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>disneyfan.nyc wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>One of the reaons CA has such high gas taxes is because they have
>>>>>almost no toll roads and gasoline taxes pay for road upkeep.
>>>>
>>>>The reason they have such high gas taxes is the State is addicted
>>>>to revenue and will break the financial backs of the hard working
>>>>citizens to support their habit.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>I recently moved back east from CA to NJ. The gas prices here are
>>>>>some of the lowest in the nation but guess what? NJ has robably
>>>>>the *crappiest* roads in the nation (Jersey Turnpike and Garden
>>>>>State Parkway aside of course - these are toll roads). Anyone out
>>>>>there who's driven out of the Holland Tunnel onto the 1/9 road
>>>>>over the Pulaski skyway to Newark Airport can attest to this.
>>>>
>>>>The real reason the CA roads are better than NJ roads is due to
>>>>weather.
>>>> The more freeze/thaw cycles the ground under a road experiences
>>>> the
>>>>more damage it receives. Also, when water seeps into cracks and
>>>>freezes it expands and further damages the paving material. CA has
>>>>nice roads for the same reason Florida, Virginia, Alabama and
>>>>Arizona does. NJ has bad roads for the same reason Indiana,
>>>>Michigan and NY does. It has very little to do with the amount of
>>>>tax each state gets from a gallon of gas.
>>>>
>>>>CA likes people who believe these kind of falsehoods. It allows
>>>>them to keep taxing while the public just grins and thanks them for
>>>>the nice roads. The CA public really needs to thank Mother Nature.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Putting that aside.....it's pure bulls**t when the oil companies
>>>>>blame taxes for high gas prices. The taxes are what they
>>>>>are....prices are raised and lowered by the oil companies. If the
>>>>>oil companies didn't have such a stranglehold on our nation for
>>>>>nearly 60 years, we wouldn't be in this mess. We'd have other
>>>>>sources of energy that could run our cars.
>>>>
>>>>It's easy to blame the oil companies. They are a big, easy target.
>>>>We tend to forget that to a large extent it has been oil that has
>>>>allowed the human race to advance to what we are today. We sure
>>>>don't mind consuming their product. If the oil companies charge
>>>>more than the market will bare then a different energy source will
>>>>be developed. Oil companies have competition. Unfortunately, the
>>>>government has a monopoly on levying taxes. Maybe a little
>>>>competition for them would be good for us poor tax payers.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Michael Johnson, PE wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>If we would all make it clear that high gasoline taxes are
>>>>>>unacceptable and vote accordingly then those taxes would vanish
>>>>>>very quickly.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Spike wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Tax or no tax, you're still paying what you pay. Just like in
>>>>>>>California. I makes no difference what the state tax and the fed
>>>>>>>tax are, I still have to pay whatever the pump price is.
>>>>>>>On Sat, 07 May 2005 22:39:32 -0700, Quiet Desperation
> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>In article >, Michael
>>>>>>>>Johnson, PE > wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Ouch! I guess I'm 10 years behind the times then.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>You also have to take local gas taxes into account. I believe
>>>>>>>>much of the EU has enormous gas taxes.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Hey! Spikey Likes IT!
>>>>>>>1965 Ford Mustang fastback 2+2 A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok
>>>>>>>Vintage Burgundy w/Black Standard Interior
>>>>>>>Vintage 40 Wheels 16X8"
>>>>>>>w/BF Goodrich Comp T/A Radial 225/50ZR16
>>>>
>

"Michael Johnson, PE" > wrote in message
...
> I would think about giving them incentives to develop alternative energy
> sources. Maybe tie their tax rate to importation of foreign oil too.
> We need to be much more self sufficient. The only way to drop the price
> is to increase supply.

Maybe but probably not. Don't forget that the supply side is dominated by a
cartel (OPEC). In a global economy the floor price will be the OPEC price.
Unless of course you are suggesting that there be price controls set by
government. Believe me, price controls offer short term gain for long term
pain.
>
> I see the same huge profits in the housing industry right now in the
> Washington, DC area. There are way more buyers than homes. Funny how
> the homeowners that complain about the oil company profits don't mind
> selling their home and gouging the next buyer for a $500k profit.

In a free market how do you equate market prices with gouging? To the best
of my knowledge no one was holding the buyer hostage or a gun to their head.
In fact the resale side of the housing market is a near perfect example of a
free market economy.

--
Richard

'94 GT 'vert
Under Drive Pulleys
Transgo HD2 Reprogramming Kit
High Stall Torque Converter
4:10 Gears
Gripp Sub Frame Connectors (welded)
FRPP Aluminum Drive shaft
FRPP M5400-A Suspension
Laser Red

RichA wrote:
> On Mon, 09 May 2005 10:47:55 GMT, Joe > wrote:
>
>
>>Check this story out:
>>
>>http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opi...a-news-opinion
>>
>>It's written by Edwin Reubins, a retired professor of economics, CUNY.
>
> Price controls? I'd check out actual world demand for oil before
> jumping on that bandwagon.
> -Rich


After hearing about the ungodly profits Exxon just reported, I like
the idea od taxation on excess profits.

--
What's black and looks good on a spammer?

....Gangrene.

William R. James

Richard wrote:
> "Michael Johnson, PE" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>I would think about giving them incentives to develop alternative energy
>>sources. Maybe tie their tax rate to importation of foreign oil too.
>>We need to be much more self sufficient. The only way to drop the price
>>is to increase supply.
>
>
> Maybe but probably not. Don't forget that the supply side is dominated by a
> cartel (OPEC). In a global economy the floor price will be the OPEC price.
> Unless of course you are suggesting that there be price controls set by
> government. Believe me, price controls offer short term gain for long term
> pain.

OPEC in and of itself is intended to be a price controlling entity. I
don't support price controls either. I do support creating incentives
to entice companies to develop alternative sources of energy for profit.

>>I see the same huge profits in the housing industry right now in the
>>Washington, DC area. There are way more buyers than homes. Funny how
>>the homeowners that complain about the oil company profits don't mind
>>selling their home and gouging the next buyer for a $500k profit.
>
>
> In a free market how do you equate market prices with gouging? To the best
> of my knowledge no one was holding the buyer hostage or a gun to their head.
> In fact the resale side of the housing market is a near perfect example of a
> free market economy.

The same people complaining about oil company profits will "take" a
profit on the sell of their home in a minute. That kind of profit is
just fine to them. I don't subscribe to the notion that one type of
profit is good and another is bad. The oil companies charge what we
will pay, just like a homeowner does when selling a house. No one
forces you to fill your tank either. I wasn't forced to drive a gas
guzzling Explorer but I do and I don't blame the oil company every time
I spend $40 to fill it up when I could buy a frugal econobox that fills
up on $10 that would last me two weeks until the next fill-up. For that
matter you (and I) could live near a bus stop and use public
transportation to get around and never buy a tank of gas for the rest of
our lives. Millions upon millions do it every day in this country. A
free market economy requires us to take the good with the bad. If we
don't then it's really not a free market.

Unfortunately, the corporation does not get hit the way you might
think. They just find ways to pass it on to the consumer. Not to
mention there are many ways to read the corporate books.

The only thing which has changed through the decades is that the
difference between the haves and the havenots is about the greatest it
has ever been. Like how many billions does Bill gates need?

On Mon, 09 May 2005 23:16:28 -0500, "WindsorFox[SS]"
> wrote:

>RichA wrote:
>> On Mon, 09 May 2005 10:47:55 GMT, Joe > wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Check this story out:
>>>
>>>http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opi...a-news-opinion
>>>
>>>It's written by Edwin Reubins, a retired professor of economics, CUNY.
>>
>> Price controls? I'd check out actual world demand for oil before
>> jumping on that bandwagon.
>> -Rich
>
>
> After hearing about the ungodly profits Exxon just reported, I like
>the idea od taxation on excess profits.

Hey! Spikey Likes IT!
1965 Ford Mustang fastback 2+2 A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok
Vintage Burgundy w/Black Standard Interior
Vintage 40 Wheels 16X8"
w/BF Goodrich Comp T/A Radial 225/50ZR16

Possibly you forget something about selling a home. Market value goes
up, a seller is not apt to sell for less than their neighbors are
getting for an equal home. It's also a fact that when one sells a
home, there are tax liabilities (or at least there were... I haven't
checked in a while). And you have to get enough so you can afford to
get into someplace else. If everyone else has jacked up their prices,
you're about forced to do the same. Finally, the big drop in interest
rates has made a major difference in home sales. Personally, I am not
going to complain that my $119K home 13 years ago is now valued at
over $320K. After all, it paid for the restoration and modifications
to my Mustang. : )

On Tue, 10 May 2005 00:26:36 -0400, "Michael Johnson, PE"
> wrote:

>Richard wrote:
>> "Michael Johnson, PE" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>>I would think about giving them incentives to develop alternative energy
>>>sources. Maybe tie their tax rate to importation of foreign oil too.
>>>We need to be much more self sufficient. The only way to drop the price
>>>is to increase supply.
>>
>>
>> Maybe but probably not. Don't forget that the supply side is dominated by a
>> cartel (OPEC). In a global economy the floor price will be the OPEC price.
>> Unless of course you are suggesting that there be price controls set by
>> government. Believe me, price controls offer short term gain for long term
>> pain.
>
>OPEC in and of itself is intended to be a price controlling entity. I
>don't support price controls either. I do support creating incentives
>to entice companies to develop alternative sources of energy for profit.
>
>>>I see the same huge profits in the housing industry right now in the
>>>Washington, DC area. There are way more buyers than homes. Funny how
>>>the homeowners that complain about the oil company profits don't mind
>>>selling their home and gouging the next buyer for a $500k profit.
>>
>>
>> In a free market how do you equate market prices with gouging? To the best
>> of my knowledge no one was holding the buyer hostage or a gun to their head.
>> In fact the resale side of the housing market is a near perfect example of a
>> free market economy.
>
>The same people complaining about oil company profits will "take" a
>profit on the sell of their home in a minute. That kind of profit is
>just fine to them. I don't subscribe to the notion that one type of
>profit is good and another is bad. The oil companies charge what we
>will pay, just like a homeowner does when selling a house. No one
>forces you to fill your tank either. I wasn't forced to drive a gas
>guzzling Explorer but I do and I don't blame the oil company every time
>I spend $40 to fill it up when I could buy a frugal econobox that fills
>up on $10 that would last me two weeks until the next fill-up. For that
>matter you (and I) could live near a bus stop and use public
>transportation to get around and never buy a tank of gas for the rest of
>our lives. Millions upon millions do it every day in this country. A
>free market economy requires us to take the good with the bad. If we
>don't then it's really not a free market.

Hey! Spikey Likes IT!
1965 Ford Mustang fastback 2+2 A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok
Vintage Burgundy w/Black Standard Interior
Vintage 40 Wheels 16X8"
w/BF Goodrich Comp T/A Radial 225/50ZR16

My point was that most people will complain when someone makes a profit
from them but think it's justified when they are on the receiving end.
Any profit is subject to tax liabilities. The capital gains on home
sales many times aren't taxed. I hope everyone maximizes the profit for
whatever endeavor they persue. I know some of mine will go toward a
GT500, if Ford actually builds it.

Spike wrote:
> Possibly you forget something about selling a home. Market value goes
> up, a seller is not apt to sell for less than their neighbors are
> getting for an equal home. It's also a fact that when one sells a
> home, there are tax liabilities (or at least there were... I haven't
> checked in a while). And you have to get enough so you can afford to
> get into someplace else. If everyone else has jacked up their prices,
> you're about forced to do the same. Finally, the big drop in interest
> rates has made a major difference in home sales. Personally, I am not
> going to complain that my $119K home 13 years ago is now valued at
> over $320K. After all, it paid for the restoration and modifications
> to my Mustang. : )
>
> On Tue, 10 May 2005 00:26:36 -0400, "Michael Johnson, PE"
> > wrote:
>
>
>>Richard wrote:
>>
>>>"Michael Johnson, PE" > wrote in message
...
>>>
>>>
>>>>I would think about giving them incentives to develop alternative energy
>>>>sources. Maybe tie their tax rate to importation of foreign oil too.
>>>>We need to be much more self sufficient. The only way to drop the price
>>>>is to increase supply.
>>>
>>>
>>>Maybe but probably not. Don't forget that the supply side is dominated by a
>>>cartel (OPEC). In a global economy the floor price will be the OPEC price.
>>>Unless of course you are suggesting that there be price controls set by
>>>government. Believe me, price controls offer short term gain for long term
>>>pain.
>>
>>OPEC in and of itself is intended to be a price controlling entity. I
>>don't support price controls either. I do support creating incentives
>>to entice companies to develop alternative sources of energy for profit.
>>
>>
>>>>I see the same huge profits in the housing industry right now in the
>>>>Washington, DC area. There are way more buyers than homes. Funny how
>>>>the homeowners that complain about the oil company profits don't mind
>>>>selling their home and gouging the next buyer for a $500k profit.
>>>
>>>
>>>In a free market how do you equate market prices with gouging? To the best
>>>of my knowledge no one was holding the buyer hostage or a gun to their head.
>>>In fact the resale side of the housing market is a near perfect example of a
>>>free market economy.
>>
>>The same people complaining about oil company profits will "take" a
>>profit on the sell of their home in a minute. That kind of profit is
>>just fine to them. I don't subscribe to the notion that one type of
>>profit is good and another is bad. The oil companies charge what we
>>will pay, just like a homeowner does when selling a house. No one
>>forces you to fill your tank either. I wasn't forced to drive a gas
>>guzzling Explorer but I do and I don't blame the oil company every time
>>I spend $40 to fill it up when I could buy a frugal econobox that fills
>>up on $10 that would last me two weeks until the next fill-up. For that
>>matter you (and I) could live near a bus stop and use public
>>transportation to get around and never buy a tank of gas for the rest of
>>our lives. Millions upon millions do it every day in this country. A
>>free market economy requires us to take the good with the bad. If we
>>don't then it's really not a free market.
>
>
> Hey! Spikey Likes IT!
> 1965 Ford Mustang fastback 2+2 A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok
> Vintage Burgundy w/Black Standard Interior
> Vintage 40 Wheels 16X8"
> w/BF Goodrich Comp T/A Radial 225/50ZR16