Informative take on gasoline

[MAXIMAN]

Please read this with an open mind. It is factual and objective. I know when I read t ...it gave me pause.

We need more thinking like this in Congress...but what are the odds?

http://www.thestreet.com/_email/newsanalysis/investing/10358800.html

The last part has more to do with investment. But the principle sstill apply.

[xschop]

GOOD TOPIC

MAYBE SOMEONE CAN FIGURE OUT OUT HOW TO CONVERT OUR XS'S TO DIESEL AND WE CAN MAKE OUR OWN IN THE GARAGE....THEN THE REGULAR GAS PRICE WOULD COME DOWN....

[xschop]

HMMMM

NOW HERE'S A REAL SOLUTIONIST.....http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/25/gas....ap/index.html

[mro]

A country that can not produce/manufacture the basic necessities is subject to the whims of those that do. We were in that position at one time and we are not now.

I've know about import of refined fuels.
Things will get more expensive as time goes by.
Energy costs drive the cost of EVERYTHING, not just transportation.
(Will eventually drive remaining manufacturing out of the US)

When was the last refiner built in the US? Notice that drilling in US territories is allowed but at only at a fraction of potential and even that has been opposed.

Here in CA CA land if we would not have had the fiasco with electrical generation (or lack of) and the high spike in price there would not have been any new power plants built. Even with the "brown outs" and high price there were law suits trying to keep them from being built. (Btw, CA electric power generation is still insufficient and cost is still rising)

Will things change? Not in my lifetime.


mro

[xschop]

FEEL FO YA

i FEEL FOR THE FOLKS ON DIALYSIS OR RESPIRATORS THAT HAD THE "BROWN OUT" HAPPEN RIGHT IN MID OPERATION, BET THAT WAS FUN....mRO, I HAVE ALSO SEEN QUITE A FEW ENTIRE FAMILIES MOVE TO SUBURBS HERE (FROM CALI) IN OKC AND PAY CASH FOR THEIR HOMES (NICE ONES TOO)....ONE OF MY SISTER'S THERE IS CLOSING DOWN HER BUSINESS AND MOVING BACK TOO. FOR WHAT SHE PAYS IN RENT, I CAN PAY FOR TWO HOME MORTGAGES...THE PROBLEM THERE IS TOO MANY PEOPLE (SARDINES)

[HobbyMan]

Maria McClory, 38, drove 10 miles out of her way to buy a diet soda from Pollack's station after seeing local television coverage of the protest.

- Kind of a hypocrite ...

I just wanted to support them and thank them for making a statement," said McClory, who drives about 100 miles a day for work in her sport utility vehicle.

-This guy is the problem

I don't jump for joy when gas prices go up but these articles pretty much describe the circumstances whitch which we are stuck with.

[xschop]

PROBLEM

NO, WE (INCLUDING MYSELF) ARE THE PROBLEM. IF YOU OWN A COMBUSTION ENGINE THEN YOU ARE THE PROBLEM....LIKE A FAT KID TO CAKE

[HobbyMan]

Technically everyone that owns a car or personal transportation device is the cause of the problem. Mass transportation is the solution. But in speaking in terms of high gas prices, fuel efficient motorcycles would help reduce our national consumption. In our "suburban sprawl" the typical job is more than 20 miles away. The only realistic thing that could happen lets say tomorrow is that everyone physically able could buy themselves a nice little moped or motorcycle to take to work every morning. How many people have the means and ability to ride a fuel efficient vehicle yet choose to take the gas guzzler 100 miles to work in the case of the second article? If we eliminated that problem, we should see an immediate drop in prices. What is the most realistic way that we could cut down consumption tomorrow? IT takes years to get land for things like trains. Then, it take even more time to lay the tracks and actually get the system running. Like I said, everyone with the money and good physical condition could ride a motorcycle.
I do admit that I drive a gas guzzling suburban but it is either loaded with people, full of stuff, or hauling a trailer.

[xschop]

I CAN AGREE

MY CARBEURATED 1979 XS11 NOW GETS BETTER MPG'S THAN MY FUEL INJECTED 1995 HONDA 4 CYL. I SOLD MY GAS GUZZLERS IN THE LAST FEW MONTH'S....THAT I RARELY DROVE BECAUSE OF THE FUEL PRICES!

[2bhappy]

I live 20 miles from town, round trip 40 miles. At more than $3 per gallonn, it costs me more than $6 just to go to town in my Jeep. I think I will just have to buy a couple of thousand shares of XOM
to help me with my gasoline addiction.

Marc

[mro]

personal transportation device is the cause of the problem

The actual cost of extracting crude and refining has nothing to do with the price of fuel. Here in the US it's government from local to fed level, taxes and red tape. Exporters are charging what ever they can get and when the price drops OPEC cuts production to drive prices back up. Simply not enough competition and our government is keeping it that way.

The higher the cost, the more government makes. The more money government has, just increases the "power" of politicians who will spend millions of your taxes to benefit some group or business which had gave them a "contribution".

You guys need to lean about "ear marks" which are attached to every spending bill.

Also need to learn about "Public Transportation". With no known exceptions NO Public Transportation agency can even make enough money to pay the cost of operations let alone build or maintain it. 70 to 90 percent of cost is provided by taxes, not fairs.


mro

[HobbyMan]

Exxon Mobil energy company representative is sitting 6 ft from me asking to drill underneath our land. coincidence?

[2bhappy]

I agree/disagree. Public Transportation is a SERVICE that is being provided. Fairs(sic) Fares are set artficially low to get people to use the systems. If fares were set at the rate to pay for the cost of construction/maintenance/operation then no one could afford to ride the systems. Look at some of the privately/publicly owned Public Transportation systems such as Southwest Airlines. They make a little money, they transport a lot of people, but you pay at the counter for the privilage of being jammed into a "cattle car" to get transported. Public Transportation will never pay for itself, but it will allow those of us who are willing to support it with our tax dollars, the luxury of driving our gas powered vehicles on somewhat less congested roads. There is no simple answer. Everything is interconnected, so we pay the price until
a better system is developed and put in place.

Marc

[HobbyMan]

Mass transportation is the key. American Airlines is hurting more than most ailines because they lost their fuel hedges. THey also got stuck with higher airport fees because of all the bankrupt airlines. Back on topic though, If we had a high speed train system running all over the country like that in Europe, we wouldn't be having this conversation. If it was electric, the price would not be soo high either. Some nuclear power plants would be nice too.

[planedick]

It does work...

I think we all need to stop burning fossil fuels. The higher prices are beginning to intice the inventors to come up with alternative methods. There are lots more hybrid vehicles out there now and many more to come. There is also much more interest in Hydrogen technology and soon the price of gasoline will make it practical and profitable which is what is necessary to get the ball rolling. I do have a GMC van, but it gets driven less and less even though I get 17 and 20 MPG. The XS is the main mode of trnasportation now. I even put my tool case on the back sometimes and do service calls. 38 to 40 MPG is still pretty good.