The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Ok, I need some help understanding what's going on. The last time the prices went up like this they said there was a shortage. But this time they say that is not the issue. They asked the oil company’s to increase production, they declined, saying that wouldn't help. I'LL be damned! Why not? The old supply and demand with, if their is more, the value goes down. They are choosing to this to us. If our government cared they would make something happen to stop this problem.

What are we going to do, and what will happen when gas is $10 a gallon? Or $20?


What is the government’s hand in the gas and oil business? Does anyone know for sure? I watched a show on discovery, showing how we, have a pipe in Alaska, that pumps some, million gallons an hour or something. But then we export it. Why?

Then if the government doesn’t have their hands in it, why don't we import from different countries than we do? Open up the so-called “free” market. We are always going to war over them anyway.

AAAAND. Can someone explain the Reserves? The government is releasing their "reserves" in an effort to lower prices. Bush stated he didn't think it would make a difference but the signed it anyway (no back bone, exactly what is wrong with every single president in any recent time). Sooo, if they are giving the American people the reserves, how come this gas is not free?? Or where is the money going, that we are paying for the "reserves" once it hits our pumps? Goes back to the government or what? Did our government buy these reserves with our tax money, then selling it right back to us?? And why doesn't it help the gas prices? There’s more, the value should go down.

And, how come, we have the tech, to make electric vehicles, fuel cells, and other vehicles, but no one sales them? They have that this Tech for years. Its not new, they just don't sale them to the public.

The last time the prices went up like this they said there was a shortage. But this time they say that is not the issue. They asked the oil company’s to increase production, they declined, saying that wouldn't help. I'LL be damned! Why not?

Partly because, even if they increase production of crude oil, there is still going to be a bottleneck in refining. There hasn't been a new refinery in decades, and what capacity we do have is both very old, and running near capacity.

Partly because there is intense competition for oil. The Chinese used to be a largely third world agrarian economy. However, they have suddenly discovered that they have money! They are tooling up massively, and are now buying cars at an enormous rate. They are building a highway system that will make ours look ancient. They want fuel, and they are willing to pay for it. So, they do... and drive the price up.

Partly because speculators have figured it out... at least for the time being. Commodity markets are crazy places, and both fear, and shrewd minds, are at play there.

Partly because the perception exists that we are prisoners to the market, and it will, therefore, charge what can be borne, not what is reasonable. This, I believe, is the major reason for current prices. If government were to clearly, and unequivocally state that we will open up the whole of the Gulf of Mexico (including off the Florida coast), the massive oil shale deposits in the west, and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (which, together, make the deposits in the middle east and Venezuela seem small), there would be an immediate cool down effect on the comodity market.




Doesn't help, huh?


The bottom line is, I don't have a clue!