Conspiracy Theories
I approved this comment on gasoline prices this morning, mostly so I would have a great topic to write about first thing this morning.
I'm not a conspiracy theorist. I don't think that the Suns lose games on purpose to make sure there are seven games in a series. I don't think that the voting on American Idol is rigged for ratings. And I don't think that very much in the above comment makes any sense.
I do think that gasoline prices are based on supply and demand, but that since gasoline production (refining, drilling, imports, etc.) and distribution are regulated by the government, supply is sometimes limited. Today that's the primary problem. There aren't enough refineries in the US to create more supply of refined fuel, but the demand is constantly increasing. In a non-regulated free market, the solution would be that more suppliers would come into the market and provide more product to meet the demand. But since the creation of a new oil refinery is regulated by the government, it's more complicated than that.
So, you can keep sending in your conspiracy theory comments. I get a chuckle from them and it gives me something else to write about. If you really want to do something about gasoline prices, though, reduce the demand. Plus, if you reduce the demand, you'll probably help save our planet too.
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If you watched Last Comic Standing you'd understand it's single women's fault for high gas prices.
Posted by: rob | June 1, 2006 08:19 AM
Although supply and demand is a big factor in the price of gasoline, I think that's over simplifying the case. It's hard to believe that we are struggling to maintain a supply when people are really not decreasing their demand (If people were, wouldn't people stop complaining and wouldn't prices go down?). I have yet to run into a gas station that is out of gas, let alone hear about one. What really makes me believe that gas prices are artificially inflated is that the Exxon (I believe it was them) reported their greatest profits (That's profits, not revenues) in their history. I also believe that of the top 10 profit making companies in the world, three of them were oil companies. If gasoline was really costing them more, wouldn't their revenues just go up and not their profits? Now don't get me wrong; although gas is expensive right now, I don't think it's overpriced. I think we as Americans have been spoiled by low gas prices. Gas should be expensive, especially through taxation. That'll get people to change their ways hopefully and think of alternatives to using gasoline.
Or maybe what I'm saying is just a bunch of bunk and Rob has the right idea... Single Women are the cause of high gas prices...
Posted by: Derek | June 2, 2006 09:29 AM