Today's gas boycott: Sure, why not?
Tuesday May 15, 2007
Today is supposed to be the day of the gas boycott. A couple of weeks ago I discussed why I don't think the gas boycott will work, and what steps we can all take to make a meaningful reduction in demand for gasoline. Even so, I've decided not to buy gas today, just for the heck of it. (Not that it'll make a difference to my local retailer; to avoid buying gas today I had to fuel yesterday, so he already has my money -- part of the reason I don't think the boycott will amount to much.)
Do you plan to avoid the filling station today, and do you think this grassroots boycott will come to anything? Click the "comments" link and share your thoughts. -- Aaron Gold
Comments
After driving as little as possible this weekend, I found my gas tank was too close to empty. I “had” to get gas, otherwise, I’d run out, have to call AAA, they’d come out and give me some gas, which kind of defeats the purpose of trying to save gas. I only get 1/2 a tank because it’s 70 pounds I’m NOT traveling with!
I think there will HAVE to be legislation passed after this quarter when, SURPRISE, SURPRISE, the oil companies will have another record windfall. I’m really getting tired of the excuses that are fabricated to try and justify record gasoline prices.
I’ve gone as far as letting the station attendants know I’m thinking 4 letter words. These greedy prick execs aren’t going to be happy until there’s a windfall tax because they FORCED it on themselves.
Seriously, what legal repercussions can we possibly dole out to these sockcuckers to get them to lower and maintain a reasonable fuel cost?
What might work is boycotting the top 2 profit-making oil companies for a month or two. Maybe it’ll help the little guys, but at least it’ll hurt the biggest greedy f*cks out there. I don’t want to put any more of my hard earned money into the pockets of people who make more money reading the morning paper than I do all week.
As I look around on the streets I am still amazed to see Expeditions, Suburbans and many full sized vehicles with only one person in it. Until we learn to be more efficient the demand and therefore the gas prices will stay hi.
As to why the prices are so hi I blame the futures market. If the people “determining” the price of fuel next month are on edge and looking for any little excuse as to why it might be harder to get oil they will find an excuse. As long as they keep bidding higher we suffer.
I think the big three automakers would be campaigning to reign in gas prices. They will be hurt the most and Toyota / Honda etc. will continue to gain market share.
anger or complaints toward the oil companies are misguided. increasing prices follow demand. each person must find a way to decrease individual fuel useage by a certain amount, perhaps 20 percent. find a way not to waste. i fear human nature will not allow this.
well they are ripping the public off for as much as you can stand.the ones that have big suv’s and hard on gas…it takes $10.000 to $15.000 to trade and to put that in extra gas is still cheaper than going in debt for a car that’s not worth the price they charge.
I have to agree that the demand is the issue.. not the gas companies. It’s part of the bases of doing business in America. If demand is high .. your must increase the price to get the optimal return. You don’t see Nike, Apple or for the girls- Clinque being force to lower their prices!! $35 dollars for 8 ounces of anti-wrinkle cream??.. I’m in the wrong business! What we need to do is look into our HABITS.. do you really need to run to corner store and get one or two items. Or the best.. during lunch time how many are you sitting in your car waiting to order at the drive-thru for more than 5-10 mintues. Don’t we have obese people in America or have to hear ” I’m so fat from a co-worker!!”. Get out of your car and walk ( a little exercise goes a long way)to the restaurant. Your subdivisions are designed to be closed to corner shopping plazas.. walk to the store. Lose the excess fat and lower the demands and help the environment. Force you city to put sidewalks and encourage the residents to walk or bike to work. My silly city wants a water feature in front of each building.. now we have a geese issue. But try to finding a sidewalk that you don’t have to drive to. We need to look into our selves and change just the little things to lower demand of an resource that has a limit supply. You can’t make a new supply of oil with the resources/ tech we have today. You have to find a new source or conserve the source and find some new Cheese!! ( we all had to read that book.. might as well put knowledge into use)
I think that buycotting gas is a useless gesture. (Here in Connecticut, the governor just proposed a gas tax holiday–as far as I’m concerned she can take her gas tax holiday and place it where the sun doesn’t shine)Europe and Japan have always paid much for more for gas, so we Americans need to stop whining, and start insisting that American car manufactures make cars that are attractive to the American public, reliable, gas-efficient, and reasonably priced. If Honda and Toyota can do it, why not GM, Ford, and the newly-acquired Chrysler? If Americans buycott anything, we should buycott the monster SUV’s, trucks, and cars.
I will boycott, although I filled up my Durango HEMI yesterday to the tune of $70, so they already got my money. In fact I will boycott for a whole week just to prove that this stupid scheme won’t work.
I agree with the fact that one day will not make too much of a difference, but maybe a whole week would get the message across to someone. And the Federal government needs to find out whose pockets are we lining.
A one day boycot WON’T matter… everyone who boycotted will end up going to the pump the next day resulting in a traffic jam and record sales for that day. A nation-wide long-term lifestyle/habit change is required to make an impact on oil companies. And even then, if their sales are lower, they will just mark up the product to keep the cash coming in. They got us where it hurts. Ultimately, we are critically dependant, so they can name their price and get it. We have only a few options: 1. lifestyle change, 2. government restrictions, 3. accept it.
Boycotts won’t work. US auto makers do make cars that get good gas millage. We in the US just don’t buy them. And they keep advertising FREE HEMI UPGRADES and we keep buying them. The Goverment gives car manufactors money if they make and advertise flex fuel cars. Do you think they started that on there own. NOT!!!! There are less then 800 gas stations in the US with Flex fuel.
It cost the car companys next to nothing to make cars Flex Fuel compatible. Until the goverment makes it more attractive to the car makers and starts dipping into the pockets of people buying gas hogs not once but each year like in europe its not going to change. Over there anything over 2.5 liter they charge a tax each year. Gas companys won’t put there money in alterative fuels an less there forced or they can figure out how to rape the willing. I did’nt pull this info out of thin air check it out.
Speaking of Flex-Fuel: I read in a Dodge Caravan owners manual that with E-85, you can expect a 30% drop in fuel economy. Are you really paying 30% less for E-85 at the pump? I don’t think so.
A followup to my post #12:
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/caravan.pdf
another interesting tidbit: harder start-up in the cold with E-85.
Seriously, how can we complain about the price of gas. I watch people fill up on gas camplaining about the price per gallon and watch as the buy a liter of water for $2 bucks inside the same station. $4 bucks for a cup of coffee. $400 for a ipod, $50 to $100 a month for a cell phone, $80 dollars for cable. Your parents did not need any of the crap. Your tap water is cleaner and more regulate and tested than the crap you buy in a bottle. We deserve the prices we get because we could be the dumbest consumers on the planet. Look at the rest of the crap that you waste money on before complianing about the price of something you need. Get rid of your cable. Your kids would be better off and that would more than cover the gas costs. Stop buying designer coffee. Plasma TV’s. God you all sound like babies. We have everything we could need or want and just keep complaining. Gas cost to much. DON’T DRIVE.
The one thing E-85 or the alternative fuel is…. we can make components of it!! You can’t make cruel oil. So a lower mileage is ok since you can make ethanol or the veggie diesel fuel. That is the key for why these types of fuel is better. I don’t think we can wait for an acre of million year old plants to decompose to become cruel oil.
E85 is not the answer. People driving less miles and driving good gas milage cars will work to get prices down(short term). Working towards alternetive fuel (Long term) But Goverment MUST mandate or will be another 30yrs and saying we need to come up with a fuel alternitive $10.00 a gal is just to much we should boycott,and will be having the same discussion.
[hogging the blog]
hmm - the gas stations will probably have lighter traffic today, maybe I should top off my diesels and avoid the mad rush tomorrow…?
haha
P.S.
It would be funny if the gas station owners hiked up the prices tomorrow just to get back at all of the boycotters. What will you do then? Stuck sitting at the gas station with your tank on ‘E’, and the little orange light showing two-feet-and-a-gas-can glowing brightly on the dash.
Unfortunately Aaron, those who intentionally try to avoid buying gas today are just going to make the problem worse tomorrow. The only people these boycotts hurt is the independant gas station owners.
BTW, looks like someone doesn’t believe you: www.boycottgas.ca. They claim they boycotted some stations all last month and it didn’t work because too many people are too lazy to boycott.
This boycott is a typical lazy response from a complacent . I could go on about lifestyle changes like everyone else here but the fact is that the Internet has become a voice for all the well-to-doer’s but nothing gets done, We all sit and whine about Iraq but we are still there. Remember Vietnam? That war was ended by the American people with marches and protests but today we just write about what we should do about our problems to ease our conscience but are to fat and lazy to initiate a solution. A million man march at the White House or the Capitol would turn some heads.
Maybe we the public should do this more often to show the gas companies that we’ve had enough.
Brian, I think you have a point. I don’t know if it’s just laziness, though I do think there are a lot of well-meaning people who won’t take action if it will inconvenience them. (Hell, I almost fell into that category — debated for 20 minutes before taking the car out to fuel it last night, a task that took all of 10 minutes.) But I think in a country of 300 million people, it’s difficult to organize a boycott. If 100,000 people avoid buying gas today, it isn’t going to make a difference in the grand scheme of things. Organization is what’s needed.
A one day boycott will not work. A complete boycott of one major company will. The lack of sales will force the company to lower prices to regain market share which will cause the other oil firms to cut price to meet the lower price. Lets pick a company and begin the boycott.
Should we boycott flEXXON snowMOBILe?
I don’t buy the whole “DEMAND” issue. Let’s see volume numbers for a quarter that are ACTUALLY to scale with the profit margin. Somehow, I doubt they’re going to jive.
We should all use public transportation for one week, then you would have a boycott that would actually make sense and would definitely come to the attention of the powers that control the oil including our lame politicians!
Mick, who going to do all the advertising it would take to get millions of drivers to boycott one oil company. All though I would be up for EXXON. Anyway there all laughing if you don’t buy it today cause you will buy the next day or the next. Lifestyle change, will help. I’m up for the march on DC. I think we could get more then a million though. But again how to get it started.
“Bravo” Ray BEST Idea yet for a boycott that might really work. But you have to get the lazy ones to do it too. We also need to get all these people who drive from west by god to Richmond everyday to car pool too. But thats is a start. What do ya think Aaron.
^5 to Rob and Gary.
R J you need to go back to econ101. If you slap taxes on any corporation they must recoup those taxes in higher prices. Your solution will simply raise the price of fuel causing the public to pay more. Of course, higher fuel costs will slow down the consumption of fuel but not by much. Besides, oil companies have slimmer profit margins than many others but I don’t see you or Aaron whining about that?
Re: E85..Still not the answer. It could be but the jury is still out. For every action there’s a reaction and higher food costs is one of them in this scenario.
Finally, boycotts just won’t work and it’s silly to even contemplate such a thing. If you boycott one company the others will run out of fuel quicker so they would have to raise their prices to avoid the situation. Think people!!! There are always unintended consequences for emotional solutions.
Replacing gas guzzling SUV’s and V8 powered vehicles is a small step but one of the problems is that with 20 million illegal aliens in the U.S. and more coming all the time, we have a burgeoning population that needs transportation so I don’t see this problem going away soon. jmo
c
SOLUTION:
BICYCLE.
You don’t need gas, AND it will help with America’s obesity problem.
I can’t ride a bike to work as I live much to far away. And I don’t plan on taking the bus because of health reasons (like not getting killed).
So, I drive my minivan, everyday. I don’t really worry about the gas prices because I can afford it. I guess it’s those that can’t afford it that are the ones complaining. Yes, I think if there is any corruption or illegal practices going on they should be stopped. But if the prices are really, truly, honestly going up, I don’t mind paying.
I believe that the boycott should be for a month and as RJ said earlier, go to the little guys only as you have to. The feul prices that have come to be is because of the owners wanting more money than they already have and being greedy. I watched a show on the feul industry and they found out that these people make more money in one year than any real person needs! We the people should take a stand! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!
Boycotting the major oil companies is probably the best way to go.They will drop prices at the first hint of a profit drop,and a price war will follow quickly.
Most of you responders are too young to remember,but,I remember buying ESSO GOLDEN(at the time,the best on the market) for 13.9 a gallon due to gas wars at that time.
Of course if gas prices drop,then the arabs could not build a ski resort,complete with snow,in the middle of the desert.
The big oil boy’s own all the station now in the U.S.A. an they can jab you anytime they like.I do not see why our Goverment does not see this in ohio you can go from one end of a town to the other use the same name station an it will be ten to twenty cents less.Why ????
I believe the boycott is like putting your Double Bubble gum in a dike leak. Rather then spending time on boycotting, why not attack the root cause of the high prices. There has not been a refinery built in 30 years in the U.S. Congress has defeated every effort to let oil companies build new refineries. As long as oil companies are working at full capacity there will also be high gas prices. When any other business can not meet their customers needs, they either enlarge or build another business to handle the capacity. How many times have the oil companies been investigated for price fixing, 99 times, and never have been found gulity once. Oil companies 99 government 0. The price of gas in London today is $7.95 a gallon and we want to complain? It is so easy to attack, rather then do a little research on the subject and find what is actually causing the prices to rise and fall. The supply side is not the issue, the refinery side is the issue, plus the state and federal taxes on a gallon of gas, why not take the time to figure out how much is on a gallon of gas and boycott the States and the Federal government. Boycotting would be more effective if it was addressed to Congress to allow oil companies to build new referines. Not ONE allowed to be built in 30 years. That is the problem.
Sorry Gary but you’re just making too much sense. It feels so much better to whine, complain, emote and make up ridiculous suggestions like a boycott.
I think many of these boycott wannabees forget that gas mileage has increased significantly over the last 10 years. And with continued social pressures and higher fuel costs I expect even better fuel economy to come. As older gas guzzling vehicles wear out owners will replace them with more fuel efficient vehicles. Not all, but most will, due to peer, economical and social pressures.
Still, this will not solve the problem. It’s going to be solved scientifically and we may be close to that. But for now, if people want lower gas prices, they’d better build a few more refineries because a boycott is just plain silly.
c
not boycotting gas on the fifteenth is a waste. I believe if everyone stayed home on the memorial weekend or go on one tank of gas only for a whole weekend
and maybe have block parties with your neighbors might have more fun.stay away from all sporting events that weekend
or if you can get their on one tank of gas.that would shake up somewhere in government.I don’t plan to go anywhere memorial weekend myself.if we boycott anything and everything that’s more than one tank of gas and it would hurt a lot of people.we have to get 60% or more to do it to show the government and a powerful people what we’re talking about .
In re. my last comment about buying ESSO(now Exxon) for 13.9 per gallon,there will be some idiots that bring uo the fact that wages have gone up a lot since then.
This is true.
In those days,$70 per week was a good job.So let’s multiplty that by ten and now say a good week is $700.
That means gas should be $1.39 per gallon.And by the way, look around and see how many people are earning $700. per week.Damn few!!!
Exxon should have kept the name Esso,because that,at least ,sounds more like what they are!!!!!!!!
Chuck, et al –
The biggest problem I have with the oil companies is the lying. For years, we were told that the reason for the price increases were refinery shutdowns, trouble in the Middle East, etc. But then their profits kept climbing. So clearly, the price increases went well beyond the additional costs being incurred. Plus it’s clear that many of the reasons were bologna (and not even kosher bologna!). They’d cite trouble in the Middle East, when a) the trouble was in areas that wouldn’t affect the oil supply, and b) most of our oil comes from Canada and Mexico, where there is no more political strife or military action than usual. Why won’t the oil companies come clean, and give us the usual line about “increasing shareholder value” (corporatespeak for “we need to make more money).
Furthermore, the profits they are making come at the expense of other industries. People have to fuel their cars, which means they have to cut back on their spending for other things. And this at a time when our government is spending money hand over fist for the war in Iraq — how much of our tax money is going to pay for fuel for the vehicles in the Middle East? All this profit taking — and that is ALL it is, no matter what anyone else tells you — is having a disastrous effect on America. Anyone see a recession coming?
I have to agree that the boycott will not work. Put those fat lazy bastards that think they need to drive 2 blocks or 2 miles to work on a freakin bicycle or their damn feet. There are those of us that have to drive, or be drivin, to work cause work is 20+ miles away. In that case CARPOOL!!! There are a lot of city transits and commuter ride companies that would make it a lot cheaper than the expensive gas in everyones car. Of course there are times when you have to drive but that really only accounts for about 20% of the driving you are already doin. Take the bus, enjoy a book while someone else drives you to work. This will not only eliminate $ spent on gas but also, polution, congested roads, and of course road rage. AMERICANS NEED TO STOP BEING SO FREAKIN LAZY!!!
My turn I spent many years with an Oil Co. starting after ww 2. Gasoline was twenty cents per gal. There was gasoline plants evey where . All of the oil companys started tearing down the plants and laying off the employes then
they raised the price to .25 cents more plants shut down another raise .30 cents . No it is not supply and demand
this is a long thought out ploy. now
when the wind is fron the east they raise the price the wind is from the south they raise the price of for what ever reason. the real reason is greed.
the oil companys are multi national
and controled by a bunch of anti America’s Our Fed. Government is controled by them also.
I’ve seen you post this before Aaron. I don’t know where you come up with the lying comment? You’d have to provide a link or something other than Al Gore or some left wing blog before I’d buy that arguement.
It’s obvious that you and many others on this comment board don’t have a grasp of supply and demand. It’s so much easier to put your arms around conspiracies and your perception of corporate greed. Conspiracy theories give very simple answers to very complex problems. And, most people don’t want to face the realities of life because it’s so much easier to emote and believe that someone is making them a victim.
I choose not to be a victim. I choose to read and understand basic and maybe a little beyond basic economics 101. It’s not that difficult.
But, you’ve emoted and you feel better now don’t you? Good for you.
C
I say strike
ebayauto.net KLH
Great to hear folks talking about this issue regardless of your view…
It is time that we Americans look for alternative fuels without damaging our economy as a whole… Economics is an issue of why we have not changed because most of America doesn’t really care about making that change…
Our desire has to be spoken and held by everyone not just a few and that change will only occur when the gas prices are high enough to source ecomically new fuels…
Whatever your political view is, look at the truth of the matter and make a statement to your leaders locally and on up the chain… Just my 2 cents
ebayauto.net KLH
Yo Chuckie…
Look at the RECORD profits that the oil companies have had, all during extremely high consumer costs, and then look at what their volume numbers are and I bet they’re disproportional. Someone mentioned oil companies before Congress in the past… I also remember them NOT BEING UNDER OATH!!! Put these clowns under oath and we’ll either uncover this price gouging extravaganza, or Scooter Libby will have new roommates.
Yo RJ,
Profit is not a dirty word. Maybe in your little socialist world it’s considered evil. But in mine, profit is a good thing.
Re: disproportional profit? As I’ve said before, there are other businesses that have higher profit to revenue than the oil companies. I guess we should be jailing Bill Gates, the executives at GE or the coca-cola CEO? Exxon for example is a publicly held company. People who own shares or are bond holders expect a return on their investment. That’s the way it’s done here in the U.S. If you want socialism and state controlled business move to Venezuela or Cuba.
Go back to school and educate yourself about supply and demand. You’re just mouthing what all the other ignoramous’s are saying. Making a profit is not illegal. Making a profit is a good thing. NOT making a profit is bad.
You want to jail anyone who makes a profit? That is one said statement.
c
How about some incentives from companies, gov, or institutions for use of public transportation or car pooling? We just moved from Madison WI where the university gave each faculty, staff, or student a free bus pass. The buses were well maintainted and easy to use. It was great. Now we live in an area with little to no public transportation and everyone driving their own car to work even though they live in the same neighborhood as several other people who work in the same office on the same shift. Why aren’t they carpooling? I’ve been told that they just don’t want to. If we want a better world for our children then it’s time we started doing some things that we don’t want to do. Like carpool. Or since people only do what is best for them and who cares about any one else… we may need to offer some incentive to get them in the same car or van together. Maybe free donuts so we can all stay obese and happy.
boycott the 2major oil companies is good idea but then you have to find out where the little guy buys his gas and who his wholesaler is and where his wholesaler gets his gas to get this to we need to committ to a)lifestyle changes use bikes when possible mass transit walk when possible B) commit to alteranate energies and fuels. one day boycott mean nothing to big boys they already made their money by sell the gas to the wholesaler who in turn make his when he sells it to your local station
Yo chuckems relax this is a car guide site not a political soap box. Where all getting SCREWED by the oil companys, them greedy little bastards. but It’s all legal. It’s free enterprize they can legally charge what they want. We need a as Aaron said a lifestyle change! Use less fuel. Find better alternitive fuels. Ride a bike or like me a motorcycle. Drive a diesel, Work closer to home if you can, Stop driving V10 monster people movers with one person in it. I love this guy #29 who said he dosen’t care how much gas cost he makes so much money he can afford it. Not sure if he was trying to get a rise or if he really is a dip #!@*. Maybe he would pay for my gas. Tell him to give me his address I’ll send him my bill.
Well I have a sure way to get the government involved in reducing fuel costs due to energy company greed!
Let me know if you’re interested! The gas boycott is a joke!
Some hard numbers would be a nice change from you, Chuckie. Perhaps you can backup your argument with some actual numbers…you know….those keys on the far right of the keyboard. Of course, you could just shut up and pay these exhorbitant gas prices if you REALLY don’t mind.
It’s “girl” #29 by the way. And no, I am not anything like the expletive that you mentioned. I do not appreciate you twisting my words, either.
I make enough money to get by. I’m not a millionaire, and not close by any means. But because I make decisions to cut back in other areas on where I spend my money, I can afford to drive wherever and whenever I like. I work full-time, volunteer at my church, build a part-time business, and love to travel with my husband. (And 2 of those are tax-deductable.) I try not to let the cost of gas hinder me from doing what I love and enjoy to do.
And another thing, if I were to pay your (or anyone’s) gas bill - you would only abuse the gift and waste as much fuel as you could.
RJ,
Hard numbers? For what? You’re the one making the ridiculous assertions. It’s not up to me to prove a negative. It’s you who must provide the documentation? HMMM? I’m waiting?
BTW-No keys on the right side. Laptops are on top. And, I’d rather pay less for gas but I at least took the time and effort to educate myself as to why gas prices are higher and I’m satisfied with the answers. I don’t need to placate my emotions by making silly unsupportable assertions.
I feel like a parent amongst a group of pre-schoolers crying about a stolen toy.
Your turn.
C
When we make tax incentitives foe small business owners to HAVE to buy “gas guzzlers” in order to get a major break, then something is terribly Broke. The intent is right, the way it is written is poor. So goes our government. How about a little common sense when it comes to policy. I understand that lawyers will need to be tutored on what that is but come on!
I believe corporate greed is the bottom line. Can ANYONE tell me another reason why oil companies are making BILLIONS every QUARTER where they used to make a few million? For those who believe in profit and say we don’t complain about profit margins of Microsoft or Johnson & Johnson, there is a difference. We can do without a new operating system or piece of software, or something else (or get it from someone else). Gas is a necessity unless the government would like to let us all stop working and deliver everything we need to us for free. Here are some responses to the other “suggestions”. Too many of you are thinking with a closed mind and using only your own little world as a solution for all of us.
Ride a bike: I believe I read the average commute is 60 minutes? That makes the distance for a bicycle a bit far. Also not good for someone in 115 degree heat or 3 feet of snow. Overweight or not.
Take a bus: Many rural areas have no bus service (or train). Those are the people who have to drive and also get hurt the most.
Get a more efficient car: Not all of us have the money to buy a new car every 3 or 5 years. Some of us have to keep driving the old one. A new car payment buys a LOT of gas in an older car that has no payment.
New fuel: Great idea, but doesn’t that mean everyone needs to have a car that will burn it? Who is going to give us all a new car? It could take 50 years to get all the old cars gone and even then, we punish the old car collector and force the old cars into museums because they can’t be driven anymore.
Carpool: What if you need to go home at mid day? How do you get home if someone else drove and they can’t get off work? What if after work, you have things that need to be done like getting to a day care center before they close?
Motorcycles: Good suggestion but many cars get the same mileage as many bikes. Also, bikes can’t always be driven in all parts of the country all the time. I drove one when I lived in California, but sold it when I left because it is no longer useful.
Government intervention: So far, the government has only looked to see if there is price fixing. I don’t think that can be found. What the government needs to do is set a reasonable profit. I know many don’t think that is the way to go but with a commodity that is essential to nearly everyone’s life, there is little control with demand.
Give up cable, etc: Some of us don’t get any TV any other way. Not everyone lives within range of a station. Many of the conveniences suggested are facts of life today. Many REQUIRED by our jobs.
A side problem is that high gas prices hurt the poor the most. They can least afford it. And they are usually the folks who can’t afford a new car with good mileage so they get a double whammy.
Mik J…
OK, you managed to shoot down all of the alternatives and suggestions. So in that case, what do you suggest?
I realize that they are not all viable options for everyone, and nobody said that they were, but a few of those suggestions do apply to many people who choose not to use them for whatever reason. I agree that if there was an incentive, more people would take advantage of the alternatives, especially those of us who can still afford the luxury/convenience/independence of fueling our own chariots.
Here is another potential solution - Work from home (I know, this is not a solution for everyone, but I am sure SOME employers would be willing and able to do this, plus it cuts down some of their overhead)
“I believe corporate greed is the bottom line. Can ANYONE tell me another reason why oil companies are making BILLIONS every QUARTER where they used to make a few million?”
Who can argue with that logic? The answers are all online for all to see. Simply admitting you don’t understand economics or can’t remember oil prices below $10bbl explains a lot. Oil companies do not dictate the price of oil, OPEC does that via supply regulations. The price of oil is an obvious reason why oil profits are higher now than even 5 years ago.
You want the government to regulate how much profit a company can make??? I think Castro did that and Chavez is in the process.
Question for all you oil company gouge conspirators? What percentage of revenue is gouging? What percentage would be too much? 3%? 10%? 20% or more? For every $1 a company receives, what % is OK? How much should they keep?
C
Wait, wait, wait, wait, WAIT, Chuck — OPEC determines our oil prices??? I thought you researched your FACTS?
What does OPEC have to do with domestic oil supplies, which AFAIK account for 40-50% of our oil use? The US isn’t a member of OPEC.
What does OPEC have to do with oil imports from Canada, the #1 oil exporter to the US? Canda isn’t a member of OPEC.
What does OPEC have to do with oil imports from Mexico, the #2 oil exporter to the US? Mexico isn’t a member of OPEC.
Matter of fact, if you look at the top 15 oil importers to the US, we import about the same amount of oil from the 8 OPEC countries on the list as we do from the top 2 non-OPEC countries on the list.
Furthermore, if you look at the top three world exporters of oil — Saudi Arabia, Russia and Norway — only one is an OPEC country. If OPEC is the problem, why aren’t we doing more business with non-OPEC countries?
Sorry, Charlie — OPEC isn’t the issue. Care to guess again? Or could it be that the lefto commie pinko Hollywood liberals have a point — that this is about greed and profit-taking in a time of economic difficulty? Again, I cite oil useage in Iraq — our President’s pet war. We gotta fuel those tanks. Are the armed forces paying out the nose for fuel like the citizens are? Heck of a time to raise prices — what a patriotic thing to do. Taxpayer money is pouring in, let’s grab what we can.
Aaron your ignorance is astounding. Chill the hysteria, you’re babbling about things you don’t understand.
Do you think for a second that Canada, Mexico or Russia will sell us oil below market value because you throw a little fit on a third rank message board? Get ahold of yourself girl. Aint gonna happen. Oil is fungible. That’s a big word for you so look it up.
As I’ve said and the information is available for all to see, oil trades on the open market. Let me know if you are too stupid to find it yourself and I’ll email you a link. OPEC can turn on the spigots any time they want and flood the market with oil. Oil prices decline. They turn off the spigot and Russia, Canada, Mexico can charge more for their oil. This is such simple basic math/economics101 you must be embarrassed to admit you’re an automotive journalist. You should delete that last message Aaron. It stands as a monument of your ignorance in your career choice and won’t advance your ability to go beyond where you are. I think the Globe and Enquirer are looking for people like you?
BTW-This is message board regarding gas boycotts not the Iraq war. You’re a lousy moderator girl.
c
First, Charles, the “girl” thing is funny when Perry Cox does it on Scrubs, but doesn’t work so well for you. (Of course, I don’t consider gender jokes to be an insult. Have a problem with women, there, Chuck? *G*)
Second, if you did your research, you’d know that though of the top ten oil producing nations, less than half are OPEC nations. Number three happens to be *us*. We are no longer as reliant on OPEC nations as we were during the gas crunces of the early 70s. And you’re ignoring the fact that around half our oil ISN’T imported. (As well as the fact that the people who run those companies, and are enjoying these record profits, have a friend in the White House.) So yes, the non-OPEC nations could drop prices and easily sew up the market. It’s a strategy that’s proven to work. But why would they bother when there’s so much money to be made? People like you buy into the Middle East as the source of our oil problems, and there’s money to be made. Why rock the boat? Come on, Charlene — you’ve had so much BS shoved down your throat that you’re beginning to enjoy the taste. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and walks like a duck… according to you, Cherianne, it must be a quail.
And by the way, the Iraq war has a *lot* to do with it. The Department of Defense spent $8.5 billion for oil in 2005 and $17 billion for oil in 2006. This despite the fact that military oil consumption has DECREASED. In fact, the military used almost the same amount of oil in 2006 as they did in 1997, but in 1997 they paid just $4 billion for it. That figure has more than QUADRUPLED. (Hope I spelled that word right.) Hmmm, haven’t companies been prosecuted in the past for fleecing the government? Again, maybe that doesn’t happen when one of your own is heading up the executive branch.
Of course, the bigger problem is that the US is the biggest consumer of oil by a LONG shot. Forget this one-day gas-buying boycott — I’d love to see people stop driving for a day.
The bottom line to this entire thread is that boycotts do not work and never will. There have been many suggestions to decrease the consumption of fuel and many are commendable. But, they are just a bandaid on the titanic right now. The solution will be found through science and research.
Higher gasoline prices may not be good for some people right now but higher prices will give incentive to use less fuel and motivate others to create new techologies in the energy industry.
In 2003 I was a mortgage broker. All I had to do was pick up the telephone and people were begging me to process their loan. It was a very good year. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Oil related industries seem to be in the same place today but that will change someday. Regular people like you and me own stock in mutual funds that are benefiting from this success. Earning 10% on revenue is hardly a windfall. Big numbers scare and confuse small minds. Try to rise above the chicken littles see it as an opportunity. An opportunity to use less fuel and find better solutions.
I’m outta here.
C
Aaron,
Did you not read or did you not understand my comments on market prices. I ask you again, DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT MEXICO AND CANADA WOULD SELL US OIL BELOW MARKET PRICE???
Just answer the question. Your comments about Iraq is just a typical deflection to avoid answering a question. Answer the question?
C
Chuck — Of course they wouldn’t. But the reasons why have nothing to do with what you said:
“Oil companies do not dictate the price of oil, OPEC does that via supply regulations.”
Well, obviously there is no good solution, so, in the meantime, I will just go out and buy a gas guzzling land-barge, [preferably one that uses gallons-per-mile rather than miles-per-gallon] then just drive around [in stop-and-go-traffic] until I use up all the remaining fuel in the world. Then we will be forced to walk, bike, or drive around in alternative fuel vehicles powered by hamsters and sunshine.
ps. Scrubs rocks.
Mr Manson, you sound like an intelligent person but you don’t have a brain in your head. The market is in FUTURES. These are barrels that aren’t even pumped out of the ground yet. That $62 per barrel price in April is something that is paid for a barrel that is probably about half way between here and Saudi Arabia today. So why is gas $3-4 TODAY? Who do you think is pocketing that extra between the $50/barrel price (fictional price) paid for the gas that is currently at your local gas station and the $60/barrel price (fictional price) they are telling you we have to pay today? THAT is where the billions of profits are coming from. THAT is the gouging of America. THAT is NOT supply and demand. We shouldn’t be paying the price of oil that isn’t at the pump yet. Making us do that is basically telling us to bend over and take it while they can give it.
As for the original subject of a gas boycott? Useless. As for the solution? I agree it has to come from science and technology but the problem is going to be how to get people to use it. As noted in the fuel, if you drive a 15 year old car, the E85 fuel won’t work no matter how much you want to use it. Who will replace all those 15 year old cars? Note using grains to make gas means we may save $1/gal at the pump but spend $500/mo more on groceries. Farmers have already converted some fields to corn that used to grow grains for food because there is more profit in the corn for fuel.
No REAL effort has been done to improve cars. How have they improved the mileage? Has it been through technology and innovation? Most of you would probably say yes. But the real answer is no. Yes, there have been some advances in technology but if you take a 1967 Chrysler that gets 12 mpg, remove many of the metal parts and put in lighter plastics and composits (sp?) and add 2 or 3 driving gears to the transmission, you have a car that will get the same mileage as today’s car of approximate equal size. Even with the Chrysler still using a carburetor! Think that is a lie? According to the EPA, the 2007 Lincoln Town car 4.6L V8 gets 17/25 (it is 17 freeway with E85!!). I haven’t figured my freeway mileage but my 67 Chrysler Newport with a BIGGER engine (6.2L) and a carb, gets 14 around town. A mere 3 miles per gallon difference when the Lincoln has an extra gear to lower the RPMs. I’ll bet my Chrysler would do 17 with an extra gear and convert some dash/door/seat/trim parts to plastic.
By the way, the war in Iraq has a direct influence on what we pay at the pump. Running all those tanks at 3 gallons to the mile and the Humvees at 8 miles to the gallon comes out of our reserves held by the government. That means they can’t use them to supply the people which in turn gives the oil companies the opportunity to do what they want with prices. Note there are not signs for gas stations being “out of gas” so there is no gas shortage. If there were, there would be lines at the pumps like in the 70s and you would see stations out of gas like in some places after Hurricane Katrina. So if there is no shortage and the supply is there, where is the supply and demand?
OK, I’m sick and tired of hearing all these stupid, goofy ideas like ‘don’t buy gas on Tuesday or don’t buy gas from Shell’, they don’t do a damn thing to the gasoline industry. Obviously people buy gas the day before or day after or buy from BP instead of Shell, it has NO impact and I’m sick and tired of hearing these stupid ideas.
Why do we, the PEOPLE expect the government to get this done, where’s their incentive? A percentage of retail gas prices goes to taxes, the higher the pump price the more money Uncle Sam has. This does bring us value just not a balanced value, we get better roads (I’ve yet to discover where those roads are, or maybe its just the promise of better roads) and other great social projects. But what polititian is interested in cutting his revenue source?
We, the general public can not effect supply, however we can effect a change in Demand, its simple economics!
It’s about time to suggest something which could impact the gas industry. How about we, the customer collaborate and boycott, NOBODY drive anything that burns GASOLINE, nothing not a tractor, not a motorcycle, AND CERTAINLY NOT A CAR on a single day. For a visual and dramatic impact, one that could be measured and understood by media and our government it should be executed on the same day. So when is the question, it doesn’t matter what day, just a unified decision, preferably on a business day when traffic is typically at its peak. Say 25-June-2007, take it off if you want, work from home, stay home or walk, ride a bike or ride a horse BUT DON”T BURN ANY GASOLINE! Effect DEMAND!
Lets put some numbers to this so you can see for yourself and understand the real impact. Obviously much of this data are numbers estimated by guesswork but lets proceed anyway.
Lets say that there are 75 Million cars on the road on an average day, this variable is NumberVehicles.
Lets say that the average car is driven 15 miles on an average day, this variable is avgMiles.
I’m guessing the average mileage is around 20 miles per gallon, some get more, some less but the average is about 20mpg, this variable is avgMPG
Now the average price of gas is a publicly available number and its around $3.00 per gallon nationwide, this variable is PricePerGal
Last lets estimate we could get 10% of the drivers to actually do this, this variable is Participation
So NumberVehicles * Participation/100 * avgMiles/avgMPG * PricePerGal = $16.875 Million
That’s $16.875 Million Dollars that won’t EVER be in the pockets of the Gas companies & tax coffers for every day that this event took place!
Now if we get more people to do it (increase participation) we hit their pockets even greater and fear will grow in their minds that their really beginning to loose customers! If they raise there price and we repeat it, its even more revenue opportunities they’ve lost!
Now a savvy investor would think…. If this works buy a short stock option on the gas industry for those days…. and we’d all get wealthy while the gas companies get poorer!
So circulate this, I give it to you, forward it if you want, no charge, no warrantee, no promise just a viable plan.
Regards,
David A. Johnson
Purely an amateur economist.
$50bbl oil was for just a few days back in the winter. It’s bounced around $60 for several months now. Besides, gasoline is a derivative of oil and trades separately on it’s own. And yes, the price can change on a dime if a shortgage is perceived by suppliers or station owners.
You know, Mike, you “don’t” sound like an intelligent person and your emotional analysis to my comments is what I expect from non-thinkers. I guarantee you that if some kind of tragedy happened to the columbian coffee market that coffee prices would skyrocket in a few days and you’d be paying a buck more for your latte’. Supply and demand is a simple concept for people with IQ’s slightly above average. For others, it’s inconceivable.
BTW brainiac, Iraq fuel comes from Kuwait and Turkey. And, if gas prices weren’t so high there would be fuel shortgages. Supply and demand, remember.
(fictional)???
I think chuck has the right to his opinion, that said. DO YOU NOTICE YOUR THE ONLY “ONE” WITH “YOUR” OPINION!!! THINK ITS TIME TO BOYCOTT CHUCK, and I acually agree with very small amount of what he said. Oil companys do have the LEGAL right to charge us what they want, and Canada & Mexico are not going to sell oil to us at a discount. That said unless somthing is done this country is in for a dive. It’s a known fact that the oil companys are making Huge Mega profits larger then ever before. Lets face it If a barrel of oil goes up in price they need to raise there price to cover the increase. But to cover the increase not quadruple there profits. David there are very few who have written that think a Boycott will work. Boycotts wont work, too many people can’t or just won’t do it. Even then, everybody would have to stop driving for about month. They know ya gotta get gas somtime. Mike J what do you suggest according to you, nothing will work. This Contry will have to be forced into a lifestyle change or will be paying 10.00 per gal and talking about the same thing 20 years from now. And last but Not least Im sorry (GIRL #29) Your exact quote was “So I drive my minivan everyday. I dont really worry about gas price because I can afford it. I guess those who can’t afford it are the one’s complaining. Anybody care to comment on this.
OH, OH, OH(in my best Horshack voice)
Believe it or not I have an opinion!!!
Sell your car and buy oil stocks.
c
the problem in this country right now is ,that the majority of the people are still at or below poverty level ,and not by choice,these people along with a lot of others just cant aford high gas prices,so when you find a cure for poverty you have also found a cure for the lack of money to purchease some of the things we all need in life ,like health care,all this combines in one way or another wherther we realize it or not,one saying is always going to stay true in amwerica,until we all help change it,and that is the rich get richer,and the poor get poorer,that you can count on.
Aaron,
One of your readers asked me to weigh in with some facts. (Although this is pretty emotional waters for an economist!)
However, the bottom line is that even though Saudi Arabia only supplies 10% of our oil, they are the only country with any excess capacity in their current proven reserves. That means they are the only ones who have the power to lower prices for everyone by turning up the spigots. This gives them leverage over all other countries, including Canada and Mexico, who are already pumping full capacity.
The EIA forecasts the price of a barrel of WTI crude to be at around $65 a barrel through 2008. This is partly partly because of OPEC’s stated intention to keep oil prices between $60-70 per barrel. (See Crude Oil Price Forecast.
So, as long as people in the U.S. keep driving, the price of gasoline will keep going up.
Kimberly Amadeo
Guide to U.S. Economy
Anything short of protest in the streets to stop the Big Gas Rip off is a total wast of time . The Oil corps are now the new terror group ,I fear them more then some religous nut in middle east .They (oil corps )are Guilty of price gouging during time of WAR . Outragous !
I am sorry if this is in the wrong place or wrong group.
Acting Together Will Make A Difference! visit www.end2crazygasprice.com now!
Our objective is to Force the gas companies to lower their gas price by asking the consumers in Canada and in the United States NOT TO PURCHASE ANY GAS from the selected gas companies posted below. We can have a significant impact on the price of gas IF WE ACT TOGETHER to initiate a GAS PRICE WAR!!! So Please Start The Boycott Now!
Until futher notice WE DO NOT BUY ANY GAS from the following companies
CANADA
- Esso
- Petro-Canada
- Shell
USA
- ExxonMobil (all Exxon Mobile Gas Stations)
- Esso
- Shell
YES, WE CAN WIN BUT…It is absolutely NECESSARY To continue purchasing our gas ELSEWHERE Than at the posted gas stations above and this, until we reach our objective. And, MOST OF ALL, HELP US BY FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO FAMILY, FRIENDS, CO-WORKER etc…! CAN WE COUNT ON YOU…?
Please visit www.end2crazygasprice.com and join us to implement it.
NO PROTEST! All you have to do is to remember the next time you fill up, STAY AWAY from SHELL, PETRO-CANADA, ESSO, and All ExxonMobil Gas stations.
“BOYCOTT” is the only option left for us to fight against this crazy gas prices, unless the government involve and regulate the gas price somehow!
#70 and #71…Get a life.
How do you know the other stations you buy your gas from didn’t buy it from a Shell/Exxon/Esso refinery?? Idiots!
Make that 71 & 72. 70 is the only one with any smarts on this board.(except me)
c
I stopped buying gas from the big Guys
such as ARCO UNOCAL76 CHEVRON SHELL & BP
Its pretty obvious that one day boycotts won’t work. They just get our money the day before or after or later in the week. Cutting back on lifestyle which “may” cut back on demand? They will just raise prices again to cover any profit losses there. A long term boycott seems to have a better chance if targeted against one Oil Company. There is a web site that advocates this…www.angryatthepump.org. I don’t see any holes in this idea but my vision has been blurred lately from all the opinions on what is going on and what to do.
Of course a one day boycott will never work. Hold your breath to clean the air… What will work is a direct approach. Join me for a “Exxon Free Summer”. This company has targeted us. It’s time to fight back.
I work at a BP station in nearby Medina, Ohio as a cashier and I am with you 100%. I know for a fact that it is gouging as I have seen their tactics first hand for the past 8 years. Anything you would like to know about it I will be more than happy to give you my experiences that I have had in this regard!
This will never work because nobody sticks together on any thing any more. The oil companies have us by the short hairs any how ….we have to get to work …..we have to get home…..what are we going to do? walk home & to work????
I think if you could convince many americans to walk or bike to one place a week there would be a change.
Increse tax bonus on hybrids. Be more informative about global warming!!!
I ride my bike ( motorcycle ) to work as much as possible. I have allways had high mileage vehicles all my life. I just can’t see giving my hard earned money to the gas gouging people.
I saw a new tactic by BP, they always do this! You know how all stations display their prices at 10 cents more for each grade? BP has another way of getting more money than anyone else! Regular $2.89; mid range $2.99; you would think the next price would be $3.09??? No way, the next price is $3.11! Now who is gouging???
B P did it again yesterday…..reg., $3.19, plus.,$3.29 and here we go again trying to get more money than the others…high test, no, not $3.39 but 3.41. Why don’t we boycott BP???
Every other gas station in my area dropped down to $3.09 overnight except for BP which is only down to $3.15. See I said in my last request that they should be boycotted rather than other stations. They find now that they can get away with charging more and they will probably stay at that price over the weekend because they know that they can get away with it!
Till the next time, I’ll be in touch.
Remember way back a couple of years ago when the oil companies said they had to raise the prices because of the damage done by hurricanes in the gulf???….If this is the case why did BP raise their prices since they do not have any oil wells in the gulf area. But they do have 12 in the continental U.S………..Come on BP, we all know now that you are cheating the American public just so you can make a few extra bucks!
PAY ATTENTION TO #82 THRU #86. HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS TALIKING ABOUT!
BP is trying to make it sound as though they are Mr. Nice guy! Maybe you remember a few weeks ago BP was doing what they called “make the world a little brighter”. Some great promotion? They were giving away sunflower seeds. Wow, what a great expense!
I don’t know about anyone else that got them but mine are yet to grow! If they want to make the world a little brighter why don’t they be a little more honest about things and lower their prices on gas?? Their world may be a little brighter because they are getting rich on us, while we suffer at the pump.
I am begining to think that we have gotten through to the gas gougers. Gas in our area here in the Medina, Ohio area have gone way down to $2.69 from $2.88 the previous day. Now they will have to find another dumb excuse to raise them again……..Just wait, Labor day is coming!
Well, things are getting back to almost normal. TAKE THAT B. P.
Well, this is a new one on me! At 8:oo in the morning yesterday the chanel 8 news reported BP and I think a Speedway reported their prices at $2.35 a gallon then they broke for a commercial. A few minutes later they reported the same gas stations had raised their prices back up to somewhere around $2.69. When interviewed both stations said they were contacted by “corporate” to raise their prices.?????????
Please remove my name from #91. Someone must be using my name to get me in trouble.
We sure arn’t getting many more comments on this subject???
Well here we go again……..another hurricane to raise the gas prices. BP does not have any reason to raise their prices because they don’t have any platforms in the gulf area. Do you think this will stop them from raising their prices? No way!
All of BP refineries are in the continental USA, all 12 of them.
This short term protest won’t really work, except that it brings to life the angst that people have toward the greed that the oil companies show daily as they accumulate zillion $ profits. I do boycott Chevron though, only because Condoleeza Rice sat on thier board of directors and I refuse to deal with any companies that have had pricipal players that are part of this sinister, anti-constitutional,criminal element that is our current administration. A rotten apple never falls far from its tree.
Well, when are we going to have a boycott? We all talk about it, ….let’s do something about it soon or the gas gougers are going to have their way again!! Remember ….they raise their prices because there are all those chickens out there that are afraid to do anything about it. We all said at one time or another that a boycott wouldn’t work and it looks to me as though that is what is happening. So let’s get off our sorry butts and do something about it. What’s that old saying??? ” United we stand, divided we fall!!!??????????
Don,
I’m sure that Chevron is quivering in their cubicles knowing that it’s lost your $200 a year business.
Condi’s the smartest woman in politics. And, she’s a babe!!!
This will probably be my last comment. I am so ticked off at these oil companies that charge so much that the average guy can’t survive. Their company benefits really suck! Medical insurance from BP is the worst I have ever seen. A cashier gets a medical package that BP pays the first $1000.00 and the employee pays the rest. You see BP doesn’t care if you live or die as long as they get their money from the large prices of gas. I travel about 20 miles to work and can barely exist. It almost costs me as much to get to work as I make! I am not the only one that works there and are treated the same as the other employees.
Well enough about me for now as I am about to go to my financial institute to try and re-finance my house or put it on the market. Thank you BP for all of this.
I feel very sorry for those of you out there that have just gotten off welfare, got a job and now cannot keep that job because the gas prices are so high that you cannot afford to go to work and have to go back on welfare! WHAT A WONDERFUL COUNTRY THIS IS?
Good luck with your Boycott, as we all know it will prbably not work. I am sure the oil companies read this stuff on your website and are very proud of their work!
Good luck to you all!
Well when do we boycott?
OK i’m back! Well when is the boycott taking place? Sure haven’t been any comments since I was here last. I think everyone is loosing interest in boycotts cause they know that we can’t stick together on these things. Remember I told you so! United we stand, divided ………….??
I think I will boycott this web site because nothing is happening in the way of a boycott on the gas stations!
The fact is most gas stations are not owned by the big oil companies. To do a one day or a one week boycott won’t be felt at all by the big oil companies. When consumption goes down gas prices should come down, but that’s not what is happening. If the price goes up when it should be going down it is nothing more then the oil companies manipulating the stock market. I do believe as consumers we can bring the oil companies to their knees but it won’t happen in a few days. The only way to bring the prices down is to let them know we are in control not them. The way we do it is by boycott however the boycott has to zero in on the ring leaders. It’s obvious we have to have the fuel to get to work and all that so we can’t choose to go without it, but we can choose where we get it from. In other words we Boycott Exxon and Chevron for as long as it take to force them to lower their prices. Unfortunately the independent station owners will also be taking a hit but if their storage tanks are full and they can’t sell what they have, there is not much choice for them but to start dropping their prices. I say we set our initial boycott to start now, spread the word to our friends, neighbors, etc., and start to dig in for the big fight. I think we should unless they drop the prices to $2.00 per gallon plan on the boycott to continue for an initial six months and if they haven’t made significant progress by then we hit the same companies for another 6 month. The oil companies know we need the gas, they have engineered the entire thing in order to maximize their profits. They blame it on Opec but the truth is we have been betrayed by the Bush administration. An administration that we better keep a real close eye on between now and the time he is supposed to step down. He has not shown the U.S. people an ounce of respect, is now believed to be the worst administration in History. He has acted in such a reckless manner without a single concern that he has no creditability to be concerned with. For those who don’t already know George W’s grandfather Prescott Bush funded Hitler, and George W’s is a loose cannon. Watch him close, he is a thoroughly dangerous man.
Ok everyone pass it on–stop buying from Exxon and Chevron immediately and tell everyone you know to help with this action.
Come on everyone lets take them down 2 by 2 and give them the same kind of treatment they have given us. If you have the time and want to do more then the boycotting, we need people to make and post banners anywhere and every where telling people to boycott Exxon and Chevron, make signs and picket if you want. They is no reason for them to reduce the price on their own. Come on everyone, lets show them rat bast–ds who we are and what we can do. Remember- United We Stand!
Because we Do Not make Enough Money to Pay for the Gas to get to Work and Feed Our Kids Healthy Foods! The Bush’s Have Investments in the Oil and own about 50% of the Oil we are getting Shipped to us and it seems like ever Since He was Voted in as President all Hell has hit us in the Price of Gas Because Here in Iowa Regular Gasoline was About .99 cents a Gallon and look what it is now almost 300 Percent More so its the Rich get Richer and the Poor get Poorer and there is a Lot of Company’s going out of Bussiness and a lot of us are losing Jobs because of it! And another thing is when when Jimmy Carter was President and Opened up the Forieners moving over here and they get to work for 7 years with out Paying Taxes and if they bring Disabled family with them they get Social Disablity act and we payed for our Social Security and if we get Injured and need it we have to get a Attorney to fight for it and we lose alot of our Property and can’t get it for about 3 years when they get it handed right to them! That is unfare because they should have to fight for it and prove that they are Disabled so we are getting screwed over this and we are the ones that have payed for it! So what’s up with the Laws and about 75% of us if we was in Office we would Go Back to the Old School Laws and Its like this Child Molesters would not get a Slap on the hand and told not to do it any more they would get Hung to Death! So see it all needs to go back to the Old School Ways because we are Payiong way to much money for all of this and The Goverment needs to open up their Eye’s because the Forieners are trying to take over the U.S.A. in the Sneaky little ways they have got Figured out the Easy way!