What are you trying to say?

Like I said earlier, compared to other consumer items, gasoline hasn't risen that much over the last 25 years.

Very true...BUT the judgement for the difference has no collateral...so what ever.

Not the right map...still cheaper here. Not for long I'm afraid.

Compared to what? Bread? I can make that...

You can make your own gasoline, too.

Anyway, here's a graphic for your viewing pleasure.

People don't go through Food like they go through gasoline, and it's a slower rate for consumer products...

Nonsense. The average family goes through something like $700/month in groceries.

I know people don't like it hearing it, but gasoline is still relatively cheap in this country.

Just thought you would like to know "just giving it back to the bank" isn't really a good solution.

Exxon's 39 billion in profit last year, the most ever by any company in history. 400 million in a retirement package to Lee Raymond, Exxon CEO. Total profits from all oil companies combined in 2006, 125 Billion.

Yeah, it sure is a supply and demand issue. My ass.

I wonder how many years of $40.00 a barrel oil we could get out of OPEC if we pulled out of Iraq and turned Bush and Cheney over to the jihadists? IF we could get 4 years out of that deal, I think it'd about be worth it.

Gasoline is produced based on supply and demand. That is a cornerstone of American business. In this case there seems to be some collusion with the major oil refineries across the country.

Another situation I feel is pertinent is the fact that we have not built a new refinery in the U.S. for almost 30 years. Either the regulations need to be reviewed to find out which of them needs to be revised or eliminated. Every refinery I've ever been around has hazardous waste and byproducts. There are safe ways to destroy both, but it seems like they are the hanging point when the topic of new facilities arise.

The closest I've heard of a new refinery is one that has been proposed near Cushing, OK.

I have one real question. Why is it that when the price of a barrel of crude oil goes up the price of gas at the pump immediately goes up and when the price of barrel of crude goes down it takes weeks for the price impact to "trickle" down to the consumer.

What makes the whole situation untenable for me is the fact that the major oil companies last year made billions of dollars of profit above their projections. They estimated their profits and exceeded them by as much as 60%.

Yes, they made a killing.

I suppose you were jumping for joy when they were losing billions when the price of crude was $10 a barrel?

Correct. There two reasons why the oil companies haven't built one: profit and red tape. A new refinery would be a huge capital expense. Sure, they presently have the cash, but realizing a profit from a new refinery would take years. Also, our government has made building (let alone getting one approved) a refinery an extremely painful process. Environmental regulations, politics, etc. Instead, they have chosen to expand existing refineries to meet demand (and import refined gasoline).

The price goes up immediately because the retailers are considering what their replacement costs are going to be. They have to anticipate what that is going to be. For example, if the price of crude is going up and their next shipment needs to be purchased next week, they will start raising their prices in order to not lose money. They often don't raise it enough and actually lose money. Therefore, they try to make some back when prices drop by not dropping their prices as fast.

It all revolves around the price of crude, something that the oil companies do not control. They benefit from high crude prices, however.

Why not build refineries in Mexico? Presto! No EPA.