And the profits grow

[kandrathe]

Seems this thread is invaded by a legion of supreme right-winged nut huggers turning this into a "lets-bend over- for the-oil-companies- and take it in the (insert expletive in here)-fest"

Carry on.

Bahahahaha! That IS funny! Trust me. If they are right-wing, then I'm fricking Adolf Hitler!

No. What they are is smart. Let me edjumacate you a bit.

You might try reading this link on the theory of "Peak Oil".

You see, M. King Hubbert theorized in 1956 that a time would come when the ability of a nation's capacity to supply oil is surpassed by the nation's demand for oil. This happened in the US in the 70's, and coupled with the OPEC oil embargo resulted in oil prices going skyward, and the economy dropping like a rock.

What we are living through now is a time where perhaps the worlds ability to supply oil is now surpassed by demand, so we will see the prices go up to where those who are willing will pay. Before now, as demand rose so too could production. Now, supply is fixed to a maximum amount, so when demand increases all that can move is the price.

Also, here is a link to a BP site that discusses world oil demand. You will see that while the US demand for oil remains high (per capita), it is flat and now descending. This trend will continue as we will now be forced to utilize better technology (which we have) to make our energy consumption very efficient.

The problem is not oil companies. The problem is not some consumers burning gas senselessly. Consider that the "average state gasoline tax is 28.6 cents per US gallon, plus 18.4 cents per US gallon federal tax making the total 47 cents per US gallon". And, the government does nothing to produce or enhance the product.

Here is a primer on gas prices at the pump. Another issue we might discuss are the 20 odd summer fuel blends that are mandated to be used in various cities and region of the US requiring different refineries to make different products resulting in a variety of fluctuations in local supply and demand. Couple that with having to spend a week or two in the spring and fall to refit the refinery for the next season's fuel types.

So, please don't start out by calling people right wing oil company butt kissers. Do your homework and know a little bit about the topic before you spout off. These are smart people who are used to intelligent debates.

Based on the trends in the spot market for gasoline, the trend line is centered on $3.20 a gallon. Unless some other factors intervene, the price will fluctuate around that level and continue to rise with the difference between global supply(dropping slightly) and demand (growing robustly). The price has been for some reason artificially held low for the past two years.