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Price of Gas too high - What do you do?

That is an interesting question.  When the price of gas was too high, what did you do?

Many bitched and moaned and accused the greedy oil companies of price gouging.  Indeed, Congress wants (another) committee to look into it.  And some of the moaners were actually Republicans.  But alas, most were Green Friendly democrats.  So question number one is: Why?

When the price went through the ceiling, I cut back.  Many did, some could not.  But consumption did fall.  Which means that less bad gasses were getting into the atmosphere, and hence global warming was delayed by a day or two.  So what was the problem there?  For all the green friendly people, what is so bad about high energy prices?  Don't you even listen to your constituency?  Earth friendly, ELF, The Sierra Club, all want that, why don't you?  If you goal is to reduce the green house gasses, jack up the price!  Hell, those quick trips to the market will disappear as will many long vacation drives.

OK, so you are not a green.  But you are all for the poor and do not want them to suffer.  So prices have to stay low.  Now question number 2: How do you ensure low prices?

Answer: Increase supply!  The more available gas, then the producers cannot demand a price, they have to bid for your patronage!  And how do you increase the supply?  Drill for more!  So why are the liberals who pretend they want to help the poor, not for drilling in ANWR?  While that may not reduce the price of oil to 50 cents a gallon, it will do a couple of things.  First, it will moderate the price rise (that is called a cut in Washington-ease - just ask Gideon on his Food Stamp article).  Second, it will increase the supply, which will lead to actual reductions in price.  The poor will be helped!  A perfect solution to one of the poor's problems.  Actually many since oil is the basis for many of life's taken for granted pleasures!

So why are the "For the Poor" liberals not in favor of increasing the supply?

So here we have a nice little quiz.  I would love to hear how we can stop global warming, decrease the price of oil, help the poor, save the environment, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil so we don't have to have another war for oil.

But wait!  We have one more question.  OK, substitutes.  How many are for replacing oil as an energy source?  OK, how many have voted against new Nuclear power plants.  Since the first one built, only one has had a significant accident, and that was in the old USSR.  They are environmentally friendly, so there is no green house gasses.  But, there is that pesky spent uranium!  Yea, that is a mess, right?

OK, so their is solar power and wind power and water power!  But wait!  Strike water power.  That stops fish from fulfilling their manifest destiny.  So how about solar and Wind power? Oh, drat!  There are those ugly windmills and solar panels!  As we heard from  Bobby Jr, better to burn oil, than to despoil a view of a beach!  And those solar panels? Well, on a large scale they have not been commercially feasible yet.  But they are on an individual basis!

So the next question is - How many of the Greens now use solar or wind energy solely?  What? only a handful?  Why how could they be dangerous?  Is that not the be all and end all of their positions?  What?  They still burn fossil fuels? (a misnomer BTW).

OK, Final Question:  Who is bitching about no energy policy?  And how does their voting record stand with the above issues and questions?

And you still vote for them on this issue?

Sorry, one more question.  If you are a green, why are you not producing alternate sources of energy to oil?  Are you so lazy as to let someone else get rich off your ideas, and then blast them for getting rich because they are more ambitious than you?

28,370 views 119 replies
Reply #51 Top
The policies of Bush were designed to help a certain groups of Americans. Those policies have been successful. The wealthy and those that benefit from certain big business like the oil and energy companies have done very well. The net worth of the top 5% is MUCH higher under the Bush policies then even during the 1990's prosperity.


That would tell me that maybe it's time to join the elite.

The tax revenue has shifted to a greater percent coming from the middle income families and a smaller percent from the top 5%. The poor are about the same but have been impacted by higher costs, especially health, food and energy with very little increase in their take home pay. The problem is that only a small percent of the total population have benefited to any major extent from these policies!


Being poor never has and never will be something to look foward to. Maybe it's time for the poor to start moving up like the Jeffesons. We don't help the poor by making it easier for the to stay poor but by making them move up in life to a better lifestyle.
Reply #52 Top
Being poor never has and never will be something to look foward to. Maybe it's time for the poor to start moving up like the Jeffesons. We don't help the poor by making it easier for the to stay poor but by making them move up in life to a better lifestyle.


I'm going to agree and disagree with you both here, DJ. While there's nothing "enobling" about being "poor", there's nothing necessarily wrong with it either, provided one is content with their lot. Statistically, my family is fairly poor, but the remedies I could find for that would involve sacrificing time with my family that I consider essential to commute 70 miles to the big city where there are jobs more suited to my aptitude. While I admire those who make that decision, it's not the decision we would prefer for ourselves, which should be our right to decide, as long as we're not relying on government support. So we shouldn't "make" the poor do anything. That smacks of authoritarianism.
Reply #53 Top
You really need to open your eyes, ears and brain Col.

In your plan, how will the higher cost of gasoline impact inflation and how will the low and middle income families pay the higher prices?


They will use public transportation just like everyone else and learn to conserve energy like everyone else. And if they need another job then so be it.

What will be the impact of consumption as more and more money goes into energy costs?


At first people will pay but eventually they will learn to conserve and spend less gas. That is the point. Duh.

How will you recover the obscene profits of BIG OIL?


The point i s they will not make so much money because people will not buy as much as they do now. Get a clue Col, do you think people will continue to buy SUVs, sports cars and big gas-eating vehicles once they realize that cheap ones like Toyota and electric cars would be more efficient? Dam, if you could only get you head out of your Bush-hating rear for once and look at the big picture maybe you just might get it for once and stop obsessing over Bush so much.

You sometimes make me sick with your Blaming-Bush-for-everything posting. Maybe it's time you look in the mirror and realize that you and every other American citizen is just as responsible for things that happen here because we allow it to happen while sitting on our PC's and crying about it online instead of taking real action to fix the problem.
Reply #54 Top
I'm going to agree and disagree with you both here, DJ. While there's nothing "enobling" about being "poor", there's nothing necessarily wrong with it either, provided one is content with their lot. Statistically, my family is fairly poor, but the remedies I could find for that would involve sacrificing time with my family that I consider essential to commute 70 miles to the big city where there are jobs more suited to my aptitude. While I admire those who make that decision, it's not the decision we would prefer for ourselves, which should be our right to decide, as long as we're not relying on government support. So we shouldn't "make" the poor do anything. That smacks of authoritarianism.


I understand your point. But life is all about sacrifises. Your mom sacrifised taking the pain to give birth to you. She sacrifised 9 months of her life (well maybe just the last 4) to carry you till you were born. Both parents sacrifise their own time to take care of their children, sometimes sacrifising fun and entertainment. It's all good sacrifises but sacrifices none the less.

I personally don't like the idea of having 2 jobs for it will cut in on my family time big time. But I too am on the poor side, barely earning enough to pay bills and put food on the table. But I will be moving bake to the states and I will, if I have to, sacrfice myself with more than one job and travel a fair distance (if necesary) to provide the needs for my family and more. But that's just me. I can only hope that my children will appriciate in the future what I do for them now and learn from my mistakes so that they, in turn, won't have to sacrifice so much and join the elite rich (or close to rich) that Col hates so much.
Reply #55 Top
DJ,

I would like to encourage you to write more articles. You have an insightful, intelligent perspective and I think you have a lot to offer. I always appreciate your replies.
Reply #56 Top
But I will be moving bake to the states and I will, if I have to, sacrfice myself with more than one job and travel a fair distance (if necesary) to provide the needs for my family and more.


I agree. I have worked two jobs whenever we needed money (but quickly discarded the second job whenever we had enough). You do have to make SOME sacrifices, but if all you're doing is sacrificing, you should probably revaluate your strategy.
Reply #57 Top
The free enterprise system in the oil business is a dream. The oil companies control the supply and drive up prices far in excess of the increased cost of oil. That is proven by the record increases in oil company profits. There are some things that government regulation is needed to prevent like the robbery we have scene from BIG oil. The problem is we have a President and VP that were elected with their help and will not act in the best interest of the MAJORITY. The most recent energy bill that passed Congress and was signed by Bush is PROOF!
Reply #58 Top
The oil companies control the supply and drive up prices far in excess of the increased cost of oil. That is proven by the record increases in oil company profits.


COL,

IF your statement is correct, why didn't oil prices KEEP climbing instead of coming down? The reason they came dfown is people STOPPED BUYING as much. They carpooled, bought more efficient vehicles (in many cases returning SUV's to the car lots), and did everything they could to consume less oil. As I said in another article, they accomplished in a few weeks what the environmental movement couldn't do in THIRTY years, and the price came down to a more modest 10-20% increase over last year's prices.
Reply #59 Top
It's obvious that not everyone can always get from point A to point B without a car of their own (or borrowed). But it's worth a try when ever it's possible. I tend to point my finger towards those who can actually walk but chose not too. Kinda like my sister.
Reply #60 Top
OMG I think i know now why everyone is always so pissed at Col.
You can;t just keep ramming the same message again and again.

Use it and morph it with new ideas to what people are saying.
Reply #61 Top
COL,

IF your statement is correct, why didn't oil prices KEEP climbing instead of coming down? The reason they came dfown is people STOPPED BUYING as much. They carpooled, bought more efficient vehicles (in many cases returning SUV's to the car lots), and did everything they could to consume less oil. As I said in another article, they accomplished in a few weeks what the environmental movement couldn't do in THIRTY years, and the price came down to a more modest 10-20% increase over last year's prices.


Exactly my point. Profit will always be made at first when prices are rised, but eventually people will realize that they just can't afford it will will try to find ways to cut spending and save. It's human nature to save, that's how those who are rich have money. Some of them anyways.
Reply #62 Top
Use it and morph it with new ideas to what people are saying.


Col's ideas are like wheels with Duracell batteries, the go in circles and they keep going and going and going and going.
Reply #63 Top
I seem to like this article alot, good job Dr Guy.
Reply #64 Top
Not hardly as long as the President is Bush!


So true.

He is getting very good! I am going to have to read him more closely!


Wow, I missed this post. Thanx. I have always said I have learned alot with you guys since I started hanging out here.
Reply #65 Top

The policies of Bush were designed to help a certain groups of Americans.

WRONG!  You dont even know what the policies are! Buzz off Col Gnat!

Reply #66 Top

Yes Yoda

Besides, Sushi-San, it takes too much energy!  I dont hate Clinton (Bill anyway).  I just dont like him!

Reply #67 Top

I think the price of gas does need to be driven up much MORE in order to bring this to a critical mass. But instead of the OIL Companies having record years, impose a new heavy State and Fed Tax on the gas. Use that tax to pay for new public transportation system for states.

Well, we do both agree on the end result.  Just not on the means.  Government is inherantly wasteful, and adding taxes (actually what has been done in Europe and elsewhere) is not the answer.  The last thing we need to do is give them MORE money.

But let's look at what happens if we let the oil companies reap the profits.  They get fat (actually the stockholders do, which is you and me) and greedy!  Then Sam Schmam figured out how to produce an alternative that is competitive!  Sam gets rich!  And all of a sudden, big greedy oil is out of business! (not totally, but no longer the top dog).

Now if we let Government do it with taxes, what is going to happen to Sam Schmam?  Well when he gets his idea going, the Oil companies (and congress) are going to DEMAND that he pay those taxes as well!  And then his idea will no longer be competitive!  It has happened.

Reply #68 Top

How will you recover the obscene profits of BIG OIL?

See previous response.

Reply #69 Top

If we, the American people, don't get our acts straight first, how can we expect the Govt to do it?

The Govt cant.  But $3-5 a gallon gas will make the people think twice!  Change is brought about by necessity, not legislation.

Reply #70 Top

Being poor never has and never will be something to look foward to. Maybe it's time for the poor to start moving up like the Jeffesons. We don't help the poor by making it easier for the to stay poor but by making them move up in life to a better lifestyle.

Actually the myth of the permanent underclass is just that. A myth.  There are some (as Gideon has written on) that will always be leeches.  But most are just young people starting out.  Hell!  25 years ago I was poor!  A family to support and a salary of about 18k!  Today?  Still a family, but a lot more money too!

Reply #71 Top

, my family is fairly poor, but the remedies I could find for that would involve sacrificing time with my family that I consider essential to commute 70 miles to the big city where there are jobs more suited to my aptitude.

You are a very wise man!  Were I so wise when I was your age!

Reply #72 Top

Get a clue Col, do you think people will continue to buy SUVs, sports cars and big gas-eating vehicles once they realize that cheap ones like Toyota and electric cars would be more efficient? Dam, if you could only get you head out of your Bush-hating rear for once and look at the big picture maybe you just might get it for once and stop obsessing over Bush so much.

I will leave you to the debate!  You are doing a lot better than I!  Have a cookie for that one!

Reply #73 Top

. But I will be moving bake to the states and I will, if I have to, sacrfice myself with more than one job and travel a fair distance (if necesary) to provide the needs for my family and more. But that's just me. I can only hope that my children will appriciate in the future what I do for them now and learn from my mistakes so that they, in turn, won't have to sacrifice so much and join the elite rich (or close to rich) that Col hates so much.

There is one thing that you can never earn, just spend.  And you cannot bank it either.  Time.  I understand your need, but never forget that time is the one resource that has no bank or renewal.

Reply #74 Top
Dr.Guy

How do you explain the poor that Katrina uncovered? The ones Bush talked about in New Orleans 10 days after the storm. They still are POOR and they still exist! They are not just young people starting out.
Reply #75 Top

The free enterprise system in the oil business is a dream. The oil companies control the supply and drive up prices far in excess of the increased cost of oil.

Me thinks someone has forgotten about the 89 cents gas of just a few years ago.  if they were so all powerful, that would have never happened.  Laws of nature cannot be overwritten by greedy companies or zealous idiots.