The price per barrel of oil is not the only thing that affects gas prices. Their profit margins are not that high. Talk about gouging, you ever drink bottled water? 1.00 for 20oz that is way more per gallon than gas and they don't have to make water, just clean it. If the government starts to tell companys how much they can profit then the next step is for them to tell you how much you can make.

 

The cost of most things goes up. The price of milk is more than what it was last year. Why should gas be any different? We only notice the price change on gas because we see the the price as we drive by every day. You can tell me the price of gas and not the price of milk(or any other commodity)because it's not printed on the side of the building.

 

I buy bottled water, but for 20oz, 24 of them, I pay less than four dollars. So really that arguement is irrelevant. As for the things going up in price, I'd say that 75% of that is based on gas prices. My ex-wife runs a steakhouse, and when the prices of gas jumped over $2.00 a gallon, so did the prices on everything they had to buy from her suppliers.

They said on the news today that people are already cutting back on the amount of stuff their doing. I won't be surprised to see more motorcycles on the roads this year. There's three of us at my office building that are already riding to work. One just bought his bike and the other just got licensed, and then there's me....

 

True but with the way our society is gas is essential for our way of life, you have to buy gas for your car. It's like electricity, the government puts regulations on it to protect the citizens because electricity is needed. They have a captive market that can't go anywhere and needs the product they're selling, which screws with the normal market forces. For them to overcharge consumers and take advantage of this is morally and ethically wrong, and it hurts the country. I am normally against government interference in things but sometimes they need to step in and straighten things out so we all don't get screwed, this is one of those times.

Edit, that was in response to the first post on this page. I really need to hit the refresh button before I post sometimes...

 

I don't think they are over charging! Look at the price of gas around the world. If you strip all the taxes on it and compare the price of gas only,I bet we have some of the cheapest gas.

 

guys, we as a country need to face up to the fact that we use too much. Of everything. It's ridiculous that one person will use a 6,000lb(in some cases) just todrive to work. Even a 4,000lb vehicle is a vulgar misuse as a daily driver. In reality, gas should be even more expensive, because as long as we can afford to, we're going to waste it. I'm a motor head, and the sound of a big block w/ open headers makes me warm inside. But imagine how much moreyou would savor that 1/4mile run if it cost$20.00. I think allcars and trucksshould be required to acheive 40mpg or better.For business and commercial applications, of course there would be differentrequisites. The speed limit should be much lower, to further reduce consumption. If you can, ride a bike, if you can't, ride a moped, if you can't do that, drive a light weight, fuel efficient car.But who want's to do that? Not me. gas is only 3.50 a gall, I'm drivin' a f---n' V8! I'm goin' to light up the goodyears while I'm at it!There made outa oil too! Burn it all, then figure it out in the dark!Whoa, sorry about that.

 

Who let Al Gore in here? LOL

 

Exxon Mobil, the world's biggest oil company, said profit climbed 10 percent to a first-quarter record after higher gasoline and diesel prices increased refining profit.
Profit rose to $9.28 billion from $8.4 billion in the comparable period a year earlier.
Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell on May 3 announced increased profits of GBP 3.47 billion for the first quarter of 2007, despite an easing in oil prices and lower production


We are talking billions here people....how sick is that?