2 things i am not hearing in the discussion about gas prices

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

1- didn't the oil companies buy up all the independent refineries in the 80's or 90's and shut them down? If so, clearly that was a move to drive the price up.

2 - Yes, the price of gas is much higher in Europe, but we are quickly catching up. From what I understand, isn't the high price of gas one of the mechanisms to fund universal health care in Europe? And everyone says that their roads/highway systems are flawless. The public is getting literally nothing from the current price gouging.

[uppityperson]

1. Yes for Europe. They are taxed higher and the taxes go to things like health care & roads.

[SpiralHawk]

2. "Europe? Ain't that one of them fancy lib-rul French places?" - Republicon kool aid guzzlers

"nuf said." - Republicon kool aid guzzlers

[zeemike]

4. Yes and they all drink lattes too n/t

[Indenturedebtor]

3. Yep and yep

But what can you do? People have been fed a steady diet of republican nonsense for years and years. Baby steps away from the brink is all we can hope to manage at this point I'm afraid.

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

6. yes agreed - but we can try to get these meme's into the

public dialog.

[Indenturedebtor]

8. I agree :D n/t

[HCE SuiGeneris]

5. Monopoly. Oligarchy.

Fuck the citizen/serf.

[Warpy]

7. Yes and no

Europe will always have much higher prices because of the taxes they charge, taxes that go for public works including mass transit infrastructure. Cars are a luxury there and not generally used for everyday commuting by most people.

The oil companies did buy up and mothball a lot of indie refiners. Their complaint that mean old environmentalists won't allow them to build more refineries is a bunch of hooey. That should have driven prices comfortably (for them) around $1.75-$2.00.

What's driving the ridiculous prices now is massive institutional speculation in the spot market futures, mostly by hedge funds looking for the next new thing since laundering bad loans as investments went bust. The cure would be releasing a glut of oil onto the spot market from the Strategic Reserve, which is how it is designed to be used, but Stupid would rather protect the hedge funds than his own country.

Every time you hear someone mention these prices, MENTION THIS, that this administration is protecting a few rich men at the expense of all of the rest of us. Remind them that McCombover has promised them more of the same.

[ColbertWatcher]

9. Good points. n/t