avalonandon

sorthund

I just put in my order for a Prius... Driving min. 200-300 miles a week (just for kids and dog stuff), I've had it with 10-12 miles to the gallon in my LR3 as much as I love that car. I'll take on the down sizing till they find out how to get more mileage in the big cars.

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JavasMom

There is a BBC special on YouTube about the pending oil crisis, explains how the fields are being emptied. But I do agree that there's something wrong when our prices at the pump are sky high and oil co's are STILL making record profits. Not into conspiracy theories but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if we were using up the supplies in the Middle East to conserve our own in North America so that we can someday tell the Saudis to 'eat sand'. However, by that point in time they will probably have an even more substantial investment in the US economy and we will still be at their mercy.

Canadian prices are largely tax, aren't they? That's what kills me about Canadian prices - if we are producing enough oil and gas for Cdn consumers, then why aren't those same consumers getting a price break if oil is considered a national resource?

melbrod

Think I saw somewhere that the profit Big O is making is about 7-8% of gross--a totally reasonable percentage and not as high as many other companies. The total net is high because they are HUGE companies.

Why should Big O earn a profit? Well, most oil companies (in this country) are actually owned by PEOPLE (stockholders)--ordinary people who are saving their hard-earned money, maybe for retirement. Taking away "excess" profits is simple taking money out of those consumers pockets. What gives anyone the right to grab their money? Especially when the rise in prices is due to limited supply by OPEC, etc., lack of refining capacity here in this country, and our own greedy consumption of fuel--not exactly the oil companies fault.

Let's stop trying to point fingers and come up with solutions that are reasonably fair to everyone.

clipclop

I chuckle when I think of how many of you own stock in big oil companies and didn't even know it. Look at the stocks that comprise your mutual funds- i'd be very surpised if energy stocks weren't in the mix - got a 401K ? an IRA? you more than likely own part of a big oil company and reap the benefits of the profit.

Lexxsmom

I definitely have stock in oil companies, i also don't think that they should be increasing in profit this FAST, its ridiculous and let me tell you, the amount of "profit" someone normal, with mutual funds makes off oil doesn't even start to off set the amount i pay at the pump!

also, yes canadian prices have a lot of tax, but this jump is not a "jump" in tax its a jump in oil prices. The tax percentage stays the same no matter what the cost of oil, even though our so called "dependable" government promised a tax break on gas costing over 85c a liter...ppffsh yet to be seen.

the thing that kills me is that Canada itself has A LOT of oil resources... enough to sustain ourselves fine without having to deal with all this crap, yet, because of lack of processing ability and due to our need to export... we don't even see a benefit from having all that oil.

As for the triple price in Europe, I think its terrible but we also have to sit and consider a few things. First off.... I live near Toronto and the average commute here is over an hour. How common is an hour long commute in Europe? Also, Europe is smart and has wonderful public transit ( many cities here do not)... long haul trucking? The equivalent of crossing ontario and you could have driven half way across the CONTINENT of Europe, forget countries...its a different requirement there, but still, unfair.

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sebsyd

The gas prices are ridiculously high all over!! In Europe, they are out of hand, Canada is higher with the US only trailing by pennies. I agree with those that say we need change all over, not just in the US. We need to hit the oil companies by lobbying against them and by changing our current government. We need representatives who will meet the needs of the people and not those of political clout. I don't have any answers, but I am going to do something about my little corner of the world. I am seriously considering purchasing a pump that converts sugar into ethenol where I can make the product and then pump it into my cars. The pump is currently on the market for $10,000. However, there are credits and rebates available for about 50% off. So, you buy sugar in bulk from huge distributers direct and convert. I don't have the exact break down, but when I looked at the program, it said it takes approximately 2 years to pay back your investment at TODAY'S prices, so even less if prices go up even further as they will. If more people chose to invest their money this way, at least you are not throwing out your money for gas with no return, but are getting a return on an investment. If a significant number of people did this, it has to effect the oil moguls. I need to do more research on this of course, but it is a way to think of solving your personal crisis with gas. I can't live without my car. I don't even have a grocery store in my town. I need a solution.

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alwayshadpets

In Europe everything is relatively close. Here in the states at least in the Midwest people drive anywhere from 1-2 hours to get to work. Hubby drives 30 miles one way to get to work. Depending on what you drive that adds up in $. Prices are expected to get as high as $5 this year and continue going up.
This has made a huge impact on groceries, services etc. etc.

alwayshadpets

While we are on the subject-anyone have first hand knowledge of a vehicle that can transport 2 dogs in crates and gets great gas mileage. What I have now get 18-20mpgs. ,but I would like better. Any thoughts?
I like THE CAR, but it cannot hold dogs thats for sure, plus I don`t know how safe it is. I do a lot of highway driving. Getting to one class is 30 miles one way.Our gas here is now $3.67. (thats the cheapest) it costs me $11 not counting wear and tear on the car for getting to that one class. I put on 150 to 200 miles every 5 days.

prophecy

i know that for gas its higher in many other countries,and we really shouldnt be complaining about cost of gas.but its hitting us hard.

imo,its not the price......its the jump of price,with a failure of economy. we are losing jobs to 'firm farmout'.sending or jobs overseas because its 'cheaper' and all. they dont regulate it,and its got 'lead' in it or something that should not be and our sales farmout slumps our quality in some things....you cant sell you cant make $$$.then we are in war .so,they get to jack up cost,for gas/taxes,as our 'war funding' for troops,when the troops never see it,and are inadequatly cared for/trained(undertrained/injured and in combat still). meanwhile, oil companies,are laughing all the way to the bank cuz they got the ''little people''aka us citizens by the balls.and can now charge pretty much what they want as the economy dies to save there own butts.only because we need it to function as a whole. they keep the price high enuff so they ''get theirs'' but just barely affordable,so its higher than it should be.so in all,its screw the little guys.

dont you just love the big guys in high places?!

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