Price of gas no longer a political issue in US?

[Ned]

I think Kerry is conflicted on this issue. He has criticized Bush for doing a deal with Saudi Arabia to produce more crude in order to get the price down, and also criticized him for doing nothing so that his buddies in the oil cartel can reap more profits. Whichever way Bush goes, Kerry will be there with an insincere critique.

Also, Kerry has a record of being in favor of a 50c per gallon tax, not only to raise revenue, but for global warming purposes. This is not a man that can seriously argue that high gas prices harm Americans.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by JohnT
It's likely that it's not expensive, seemingly. Our corporation was concerned that rising fuel costs would make our labor expenses increase, but we've found that not to be the case.

Go figure.

Real Wages Falling

[Kidlicious]

Gas is $2.30 - $2.50 here.

People are more used to price increases than they were in the 70s.

If you drop a frog in boiling water he will hope out. If you put him in water and then boil the water he will sit and die.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by JohnT
Also, I think that there is a "silent majority" of Americans who, deep down, think that it would likely be good for the country if the price of gas went up, as to stimulate conservation and efficiency movements. That's really my rationale for not thinking the recent hike as no big thing.

Only poor people will conserve with higher prices. Until most Americans are poor higher prices won't lower consumption.

[Kuciwalker]

Finally, an admission from Kidicious that capitalism has not created rampant poverty in America

[Whaleboy]

Originally posted by Verto


Not to mention the fact Europeans have no where near as far to travel as many Americans.

That's even less excuse for your cars being so inefficient?

Here, a standard journey for most people isn't likely exceed 80 miles or so there and back... though obviously we all have exceptions... is it really so different in the US?

[Kuciwalker]

Well, I have a forty minute commute to school, and my dad spends over an hour getting to work (though he takes the metro).

[Whaleboy]

That's not 80 miles .

[Kuciwalker]

But it's still a long time, and it's takes up a lot of gas.

[Whaleboy]

And it would take less if you used British cars. I live in Northampton which is roughly 60 miles North of London. Generally we're at the periphery of what you could consider a satellite of London... meaning many people here commute down. Much further away and London isn't really an option to commute to. Indeed, the reason why my family life here is that my dad used to work in London, and many people in the suburbs where I am commute.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
Finally, an admission from Kidicious that capitalism has not created rampant poverty in America

It has caused all the poverty that there is, which is quite a bit.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Barinthus
People probably are just resigned to the situation. Under a dollar per gallon wasn't that too long time ago, about 6 years ago IIRC.

Dude, you're stoned. I haven't seen gas for under a dollar since the mid-80s.

[kronic]

I like driving without speed limit.

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Kidicious


Only poor people will conserve with higher prices. Until most Americans are poor higher prices won't lower consumption.

That is so demonstrably false as to be near incoherent.

[Micah Goodman]

Originally posted by DanS
I have a conspiracy theory that some oil producers are trying to leverage the price of oil to defeat GWB. It's hugely not in the mainline producers' interests to have oil at $53/bbl, so why is it that price? Thing is, it doesn't seem to be having any impact on the race.

Look to see the price of oil plummet come November...

There are several reasons why gas prices are so high right now. First and foremost has been a huge increase in demand over the last decade. India and China have drastically increased their demand. Secondly, supply has dropped for several reasons, political turmoil in Venezuela, workers threatening strikes in Nigeria, Russia threatening to seize one of its largest oil companies for lack of paying its taxes, political instability in Iraq, and increasingly stringent environmental laws that make it difficult to explore for new oil fields. And finally, there has been no real increase in this country in refining capacity. You can increase the supply but with out increasing the ability to refine you haven’t really accomplished anything. All of these reasons combined are why gas prices have taken such a huge jump. The difference between now and the late 70’s was that the increase in oil prices then was completely artificial. The prices now are more market driven.

As far as Kerry not addressing or making this an issue is simple. First the radical environmental wing of his party wants high gas prices. The thought being that the higher the prices the less people will drive. And secondly he has voted consistently on raising the tax on gas prices. So he can’t really “feel the pain” of the average American consumer when Bush would have such an easy response. And finally, Senator Kerry and others have blocked President Bush’s energy plan in Congress. Among other things it would open up ANWAR (Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge) to drilling. More drilling means more supply which in turn leads to lower prices. We could also drill off of the east coast, west coast, and Florida but residents in those states don’t want too. That’s fine with me but don’t come complaining when your heating oil price hits the roof this winter.

In short there is no hidden agenda by oil companies or politicians. There is world turmoil, emerging nations increase for demand, high taxes, and increasingly stringent environmental laws. I love when people jump right to global conspiracies. If you want gas prices to drop fight for lower taxes and increased exploration. (Of course we could always nuke India and China too. J/K) If you don’t mind higher prices than do nothing.