Gas prices

[Asher]

Originally posted by Bkeela
'Gasoline' is just another example of Americans choosing stupid words just to be different. Just as bad as calling a phone a 'Cell' or a bottom a 'fanny'.

We call "bottoms" asses over here, "fanny" is about 50 years ago.

By the way, the term gasoline existed before "petrol". It's been used since 1885 in North America.

And "cell" != "phone", they are different terms. "Phone" generally refers to a landline, "cell" is short for "cellular phone", which was the original term for mobile phones.

You seem to forget gasoline and phones originated from over here, we get to name them -- not you.

[One_more_turn]

Coca Cola's profit margin is more than twice that of Exxon Mobil. In 2005, it was 21.1% vs 9.7%. Coke's price per unit volume is still a lot higher than gasoline. Why should bottled sugar water, whose existence is only optional and a great contributing factor to the obesity problem in America, enjoy a price premium over something that is basically the power source of today's society?

I'm surprised that nobody complains about being ripped off by Coca Cola.

[Dinner]

Coca Cola isn't necissary for modern life. Gasoline is.

[Frozzy]

The reason people complain about being ripped off by oil companies is because it IS the power source of today's society. If it is such a necessity, why isn't it produced non-profit like other essential services like sanitation, water, health, education, etc.?

It all comes down to elasticity in the end. People can choose to not consume coca-cola, after all, there are substitutes available. People cannot simply choose to "not use oil" any more. As a result, they believe the oil companies are taking advantage of their situation when they keep reporting massive profits.

In reality, the oil companies, and OPEC in particular, have Joe Consumer by the balls.

[Jon Miller]

I don't choose to drink Coca Cola

or most other soft drinks..


JM

[Sava]

STFU YOU COMMIES

[RGBVideo]

The reason people complain about being ripped off by oil companies is because it IS the power source of today's society. If it is such a necessity, why isn't it produced non-profit like other essential services like sanitation, water, health, education, etc.?

It all comes down to elasticity in the end. People can choose to not consume coca-cola, after all, there are substitutes available. People cannot simply choose to "not use oil" any more. As a result, they believe the oil companies are taking advantage of their situation when they keep reporting massive profits.

In reality, the oil companies, and OPEC in particular, have Joe Consumer by the balls.

It's no coincidence oil companies have been making record profits since 9/11 and when Bush took office.

100% correct analysis

Oh, and Asher patiently curing ignorance

[Snotty]

Petrol should be taxed to the hilt, much like it is. The vast majority of people are only going to practice fuel economy when they have to deal with the consequences immediately and personally, in a place that it hurts - their wallet. People can choose to not consume petrol, or certainly not consume petrol in the thoughtless manner they do now, there just has to be a suitable incentive.

And what are the oil companys doing with their vast profits? Any sensible CEO is going to want to keep himself in the power business, in developing 'clean' technology.

[Asher]

I think gas prices should be higher.

Not only do I have a fuel efficient car, but I stand to benefit from high oil/gas prices.

Life is good. Buy more SUVs.

[Pekka]

it's around and soon 1.4€ per litre here. THat's ~5.3€ per gallon, almost $6.40 for our american fat heads.



Soon, only leftist politicians can afford to drive cars and the rest of us can use legs. Welcome to the dream world But it's ok because we can't afford them SUVs anyway. Early 90s Japanese cars are the way to go.. the cars are averaging over 10 years old in here.

[KrazyHorse]

What a load of bull. 5.3 euros a gallon would only cost me an extra 40$ a month or so.

[Pekka]

ONLY $40 extra? Rich man talking. When average person makes appx 2000 euros a month, minus all the taxes, $40 is a lot of money for extra.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Pekka
ONLY $40 extra? Rich man talking. When average person makes appx 2000 euros a month

Wow, that's a load.

[Pekka]

maybe in communist world it is, here it gets you modest rent, food, phone bill and friday night out for beers.

Not a lot of savings or investing possibilities, using the services or what ever. Or buying stuff.

But that's ok, consuming isn't what we're into. We like to work hard and and get wasted. It's not like we have ambitions. Maybe you can come here and support the SDP so we can keep the current status quo forever?

The current atmosphere wants investors and entreprenuers but in reality hates them with taxing them hard as Samuel L Jackson.

HOWEVER it's not all bad. You have opportunities if you work for it, for example you can always get the education in here, so that's cool as hell, because then you can move out and make loads of cash. You can go all the way to get your doctorate degree virtually for free.

So.. it's all up to the people at the end.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Pekka
ONLY $40 extra? Rich man talking. When average person makes appx 2000 euros a month, minus all the taxes, $40 is a lot of money for extra.

I make 1375 euros a month before taxes.