Chuck Gould wrote:
Don White wrote:

Chuck Gould wrote:



All something to think about while watching the price wheels whirl like
an old time Vegas slot machine next time you're pumping fuel into the
good ship CostaLotta.


I think the 'oil executives' should be the *******s considered terrorists.


Not at all. They have found a way to exploit the system, and are doing
so.
I'm surprised that they didn't realize, long ago, that there is no
practical upward limit to the amount they can raise prices. Even Bush
says, "We're addicted to oil". We are, and the Big Oil boys have a
corner on the crack supply. Doesn't matter how high the price goes, we
will pay. And if the only thing a person gives a ding about is the
amount of money going into the profit column on the p&l statement,
(with no regard to social costs
generated by prices spiraling out of sight) there's nothing wrong with
doubling, tripling, or quintupling quarter to quarter profits from the
sale of a resource that for many people isn't discretionary, but rather
essential.

What is disingenuous, however, is the constant running and ducking
behind "free market" and "supply and demand" excuses or the greatest
belly laugh of all, "our margin per gallon is only a few cents." Hoist
the skull and crossbones on the corporate spreader, clear for action,
and stand proud. I'd have more respect for BIG OIL if they would just
say, plainly, "We're going to gouge you, simply because we can, and if
you don't like it you can park your car or sell your boat. With his
$30-million annual salary, our CEO is contracting for a new 180-footer,
so don't come around here with some crap that these high oil prices
make boating unaffordable! As far as we're concerned, these high prices
make boating more affordable than ever. Neener, neener, neener."

In the '70s when this was happening, Canadians paid an extra 10 cents
per liter to buy our own oil business...Petro Canada.
The idea was to use it to keep the Esso/Texaco/Gulf people 'honest'.
Then a conservative gov't got in (led by Reagan's bum boy Brian
Mulroney) aand all of a sudden, Petro Canada went public and shares were
sold to Canadians (after we already paid for it through the levy).
I've never voted Conservative since and won't ever again.