WHEEE!!! Gas up $0.41 this week. Now at $2.75 in Louisville, Ky

[Roland99]

Hasn't been this high since right around the time Katrina hit.

Inventories are rather healthy and from what I've read MTBE won't be used this summer so the cost of switching to that doesn't exist.


Pure greed.

[shenmue]

1. Holy $%@&

Why don't they just take blood?

[Virginia Dare]

3. They do. EOM

[European Socialist]

2. Let the markets work their miracle--as the Repukes would say.

[rkc3]

6. It'll be $10 a gallon if the markets were allowed to work their miracles.

They've got us by the short hairs with no place for us to go.

We'll see another quarter of record-breaking profits from Exxon - with no hurricanes to blame. And with oil execs heading our gov't, there'll be no relief in sight.

Someone needs to remind Dick of his quote from 1999 - "High gasoline prices are a sign of a failed presidency." Little did he know.

[ProfessorGAC]

22. Well, Not Really

The problem isn't whether the free market works or doesn't work, the problem is that there is no free market. That is just a theoretical construct, and doesn't actually work in practice, because it's quite impossible to prevent collusion and price fixing.

It has to be appallingly obvious and must extend vertically and horizontally before it's easy to detect. (For instance, railroads and trucking firms all raising the per ton fees at the same time.)

But, in the petro industry, it's so easy to disguise how the prices are set at wholesale, before bidding on futures even matters, that the market isn't free. The prices are set by an overall agreement of the "cost plus" structure devised 50+ years ago. So, everyone can take a turn setting gas prices and everyone will IMMEDIATELY follow. Almost impossible to prove collusion or price fixing, but it's obviously going on.

So, the market isn't the least bit "free". True "market magic", even if the theory were 100% valid, wouldn't happen. The fix is already in.
The Professor

[rkc3]

30. My point is that we have no alternative but to drive around using gas.

And if supply and demand continue along this course, we'll be seeing astronomical prices for gasoline in the near future - not just the high prices seen this week.

If we had alternatives or low swtiching costs, the oil companies wouldn't have the ability to gouge us like this. In that respect, the market is also working pretty well.

As far as a "free" market is concerned, I would agree - there is no truly free market. And if I recall correctly, it was the refiners who decided to close a good number of facilities to improve profitability during the 90's. It was that collusion that put us on this path. Bush's illegal war only exacerbated oil prices when he added instability to the mix.

[ProfessorGAC]

32. We Concur

My point was that we really don't know what would happen in a free market. There are none in evidence. We agree on that.
The Professor

[ProfessorGAC]

23. Well, Not Really

The problem isn't whether the free market works or doesn't work, the problem is that there is no free market. That is just a theoretical construct, and doesn't actually work in practice, because it's quite impossible to prevent collusion and price fixing.

It has to be appallingly obvious and must extend vertically and horizontally before it's easy to detect. (For instance, railroads and trucking firms all raising the per ton fees at the same time.)

But, in the petro industry, it's so easy to disguise how the prices are set at wholesale, before bidding on futures even matters, that the market isn't free. The prices are set by an overall agreement of the "cost plus" structure devised 50+ years ago. So, everyone can take a turn setting gas prices and everyone will IMMEDIATELY follow. Almost impossible to prove collusion or price fixing, but it's obviously going on.

So, the market isn't the least bit "free". True "market magic", even if the theory were 100% valid, wouldn't happen. The fix is already in.
The Professor

[ProfessorGAC]

24. Well, Not Really

The problem isn't whether the free market works or doesn't work, the problem is that there is no free market. That is just a theoretical construct, and doesn't actually work in practice, because it's quite impossible to prevent collusion and price fixing.

It has to be appallingly obvious and must extend vertically and horizontally before it's easy to detect. (For instance, railroads and trucking firms all raising the per ton fees at the same time.)

But, in the petro industry, it's so easy to disguise how the prices are set at wholesale, before bidding on futures even matters, that the market isn't free. The prices are set by an overall agreement of the "cost plus" structure devised 50+ years ago. So, everyone can take a turn setting gas prices and everyone will IMMEDIATELY follow. Almost impossible to prove collusion or price fixing, but it's obviously going on.

So, the market isn't the least bit "free". True "market magic", even if the theory were 100% valid, wouldn't happen. The fix is already in.
The Professor

[Inland]

15. Not that there's a choice.

Me, I would have had the markets work the miracle with the at the pump or per barrel tax that was suggested back when it cost half as much.

[CrazyOrangeCat]

4. They'll wait until Memorial Day.

Then it'll be three-fifty the whole summer . . . just when we thought we might go have a little fun.

Greedy pricks.

[SammyWinstonJack]

18. And a price reduction, fifty cents maybe, just before the Nov elections.

Greedy pricks, is right!

[gatorboy]

5. Yeah, thanks to those hurricanes we just had!

Er....Last year......

[salin]

7. last friday - 2.45 this Tuesday 2.59

haven't looked today - but the 5 cents a day hikes are starting to make folks notice.

[Roland99]

8. Well, this came in two surges.

$2.34 -> $2.59 a couple days ago.

And today it went from $2.54 -> $2.75.

[salin]

9. This was the year I bought my first "new" new car...

was leaning Prius, Katrina post hikes sealed the deal for me... started driving it in December. For once I had good timing. Paying more, but less than I was previously due to nearly doubling my fuel efficiency.

[MadHound]

10. If you can ride a motorcycle,

I seriously suggest that you buy one of these:


It is a Bajaj Chetak, a wonderful little scooter. Gets 100mpg, tops out at 55-60mph, four speed manual transmission for quick starts, costs aprox. $2800, and has a very stable ride. I've been riding one for my 52 mile round trip commute every day, and I absolutely love it. With a 145cc engine, you are going to have to put plates on it, get a motorcycle permit and carry insurance, but it is well worth it.

About the only negative I've found is the factory tires. I've put 3000 miles on mine, and the rear tire really got low on tread. But factory tires on both cars and bikes suck, so this isn't unexpected. I would recommend that if you do get one of these, switch out the factory tires for Michelin S-83s. Heavy duty tire, long lasting, is a little wider, and gives a much better ride.

So if you can afford it, I highly recommend getting a Bajaj, they will pay for themselves quickly enough, what with gas prices going up and up and up. You can find out your local dealer here: <http://www.bajajusa.com>

[Roland99]

11. Well, I have my commute down to ~3 miles one-way.

And every other week I pick up my daughter from school or my sister's so something like that wouldn't be practical. And, given how little I drive, it wouldn't be economically advantageous. At least not for me.

[MadHound]

16. Hey, you could always attach one of these

Or if your daughter is big enough, have her ride pillion, just make sure, either way she has a helmet.

So your round trip each day is six miles. Don't know what type of vehicle you've got, but unless it is a hybrid, my guess is that you're burning at least a couple of gallons of gas a week. Get one of these bikes, and you might go through a gallon a month:shrug:

Just saying, this is one way for everybody to do their part.

[Roland99]

19. I get 25mpg in the city (Mazda 6i...4-cyl)

If that came with the woman in the pic.....



:D :D

[shenmue]

12. Thanks

I've been looking for something like that. :7

[Inland]

14. I'd be scared shitless someone would run me over.

Around here, even side roads have huge amounts of fast, careless traffic.

[MadHound]

17. Well, given the fact that this bike keeps up with traffic quite well

You wouldn't be run over. Like I said, it has a four speed manual tranny, lots of quickness on the take off. In fact it is as quick off the line as any motorcycle. I was at a stop light a few weeks ago and one of those crotch rockets pulled up next to me, light turns green and I beat him flat out of the take off.

Sure, this bike doesn't have a high top end, but unless you're going out on the highway, it has plenty of speed. The only thing you have to look out for is people either not seeing you and pulling out in front of you. Or people assuming that you're one of the those little 50cc DWI scooters and pulling out in front of you thinking you're moving slower than you really are.

I dance with some pretty major traffic every day, and really have yet to have a close call even. People seem to notice me just fine, and to give me some respect and room, albeit grudgingly sometimes. Of course it might help that I'm 6'5", and they figure that if they piss me off, I'll just pick up the bike and toss it through their windshield, but hey:shrug:

Think about it, if you're not comfortable with it, that's OK. But really, after putting mine through all the traffic around here, I've had no problems.

[Roland99]

27. I might see a scooter about once every 3-4 months.

When I drop my daughter off at school, it's 70-90% minivans and SUVs (most with one adult and one child)

[joefree1]

13. I won't be happy until it's over $3.00

Sorry it'll hurt but then Joe Sixpack will only start using alternative fuels and/or fuel efficent cars when gas prices are over $3.00 (if then). It's disgusting seeing all the gas hogs on the road these days.

High gas prices are a small price to pay for cleaner air.

[renate]

31. I do see your point, but

I think of people like my stepmom-in-law, who kept her house at 58 degrees last winter to save money but still had to buy gas to get to her job. (There is no bus service where she lives.) If she can't afford to keep her house heated at above 60 degrees, she can't afford alternative fuels. It broke her heart to not be able to give her grandkids Christmas presents; gas prices aren't the only reason for that, but believe me, at her level of income (BTW, she won't let us help :cry:), just $5 extra a week at the pump really impacts her life.

These gas prices came upon us so (relatively) suddenly there hasn't been time for people to adjust. At the lower end of the economic spectrum there is just no way for people to abruptly switch to a motor scooter, install solar panels, etc. Sure, in the long run, insanely high gas prices will get folks interested in alternatives, but right now, there is just no choice for a lot of people.

I don't know whether you live in an area with good public transport, or with stores and schools and jobs within walking distance, but some people are really, genuinely suffering.

[joefree1]

36. I agree

My folks moved up North and need the heat on 24/7. Then there are those that need fuel to work like Truck drivers. But targeted tax breaks and alternative fuels can help with that.

But the Ice caps are a melting and cheap heating won't stop the rise in pollution related deaths. Time to pull our collective heads out of the sand.

[Cobalt Violet]

20. Wow, is that for regular?

There is not excuse for this.

[Roland99]

21. Ayup. 87 Octane.

http://www.louisvillegasprices.com/

[Cobalt Violet]

26. I haven't check my area today.

I bought some Tuesday on 6 cents off day and it was 2.39 that day, 2.43 yesterday. I'll check it later when I go to work.

[Roland99]

28. You could try here >>>>

http://www.massachusettsgasprices.com/

Or you could narrow down to a major city in MA. (links down on the left.)

[Cobalt Violet]

34. On my way to work it was $2.43, $ 2.49 on the way home.

This is at the cheapest gas station in town. I see no end in sight. Maybe I should top off everday.

[Norquist Nemesis]

25. On the rise in Chicago burbs, too

Monday it was $2.49, yesterday is was $2.59 for level 1. Told hubby this morning to go ahead and get the tank filled on the car (he thinks I'm being silly and overly-concerned about most things in general). But when I told him gas went up 4% yesterday, stock markets went down, interest rates went up 0.25%, and there's civil unrest in the Middle East...he saluted and marched out the door! :patriot:

[ProfessorGAC]

33. We're $2.58 Thirty Miles South of You

A dime in a day. 19 Cents in 8 days.
The Professor

[lectrobyte]

29. still around 2.59 in Raleigh NC

[Rainscents]

35. Does people really give a crap?

If they did, we all be out on the street protesting. It seems that, only the die-hard anti-war and anti-bush are the one's who is organizing and protesting. Only way anything will change, every single American people have to take it street and demand it! I feel so hopeless and ready to give up, but, I know I can't.