thank god, I was beginning to think I was the only one that noticed this.
how come every time I tun on the morning radio and hear of a newly
announced (as in just happened today, not a few weeks ago) opec price
hike, the prices at the pumps jump that same day or the next? does the
crude get pumped directly to an underground refinery beneath my gas
station in 4 hours? and why, when I hear of an opec price drop, it takes
more than a month (or longer, if ever) to see the prices fall?
and, though I'm not sure if it was on this list or not, someone said wrt
other countries paying ~$5.00 US/gal for gas: 'so what, just because they
tax themselves into oblivion doesn't mean we have to', let me add: AMEN.
yes they pay more there. yes america is possibly the lowest taxed and
greatest country to live in. but by no means does that mean that it
couldn't and shouldn't be much, MUCH better. it's because we keep telling
ourselves how great we have it that we're willing to overlook incremental
tax hikes. soon, we'll be up there with european countries. then what?
oops, I should stop now. my soapbox isn't rated for rants of more than 3
minutes. and here comes than damn nurse with my meds again. back, BACK,
I say! no! no sponge bath!
scott
On Fri, 9 Apr 1999, Joe Curry wrote:
>
> Jim,
> Your comment is interesting, but unfortunately it is not applicable to
> what is going on with the increase of gasoline prices on the west
> coast. Here's the scoop:
>
> 1. None of the governments in question have increased their tax on
> gasoline during this period, so guess where the increase is going? Yes,
> that's right, into the deep pockets of the oil companies.
>
> 2. This thing was brought on by published accounts of OPEC countries
> lowering their production in order to increase their prices. Gasoline
> prices at the pump on the entire west coast jumped immediately. The
> reserves that were on hand were not affected by any presumed price
> increase, so where did the extra amount go? To pay for gasoline, no.
> Once again, into the pockets of the oil companies.
>
> 3. Shortly after the announcement that production would be cut, it was
> rescinded but did the prices go back down? No, they continue to go up.
>
> 4. It was explained that a refinery fire in California was partially
> responsible for the increase. B.S., Washington gets all its gasoline
> from local refineries and the oil is from Alaska, not the OPEC
> countries.
>
> 5. It is interesting that all the stations increased their prices at the
> same time, suggesting a conspiracy among the companies to gouge the
> consumers.
>
> 6. Although not as greatly as this year, the oil companies increase
> prices every year during peak driving season and particularly on holiday
> weekends. What's up with that?
>
> 7. Finally, if the states that are charging unusually high gasoline
> taxes (particularly Washington) would put the taxes to use in upgrading
> the roads instead of pumping it into the general fund, I might not feel
> as irate as I do about them.
>
> Stepping down,
> Joe
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