$3.07 for Regular.

[Advocate]

So, now the Republicans want a $100 gas rebate to all citizens? I wonder if its a week or month or one time deal.

[K3V]

So, now the Republicans want a $100 gas rebate to all citizens? I wonder if its a week or month or one time deal.

That is a horrible idea.

[1CCOSA]

It's a $100 refund but it's tacked onto a bill which would allow drilling in the Alaska wildlife refuge. Some solution. The $100 refund is not worth 3 tanks of gas even in a non truck/SUV vehicle at this point. Now pardon my ignorance, but would drilling in the refuge really require tearing up a majority of the land, or are pipelines not as intrusive as some say (knowing there's always 2 technical sides to these matters)? And completely hypothetical, would it really ease gas prices here? Another thing, why don't they open up the national reserves for awhile?

[Grey's Anatomy]

That is a horrible idea.

Sad thing is, it'd probably go right back into people's gas tanks.

[Buzzatronic]

I only think the $100 rebate idea is good if those funds are a tax refund out of the government's coffers, not the oil companies. There is no reason the government should be redistributing the profits of a private company just because they don't like the fact that there is huge demand for the product resulting in higher prices.

Now if they can PROVE coordinated price fixing then prosecute the companies involved and distribute the resulting fines accordingly. But just because a commodity is easily re-priced on a daily (sometimes hourly basis) to adjust for competition and demand does not mean they are price fixing.

Everyone is accusing gouging and price fixing yet no one is offering any evidence, just assumptions and gut feelings. That's just stupid.

[g0zen]

I only think the $100 rebate idea is good if those funds are a tax refund out of the government's coffers, not the oil companies. There is no reason the government should be redistributing the profits of a private company just because they don't like the fact that there is huge demand for the product resulting in higher prices.

Actually, yes there is. Limits on free-market capitalism are not a new innovation in the United States, that's why we have workers rights, child labor laws, and anti-trust. The freedom of the market does not supercede people's lives and livelihood.

Also, a TAX REBATE because of what is corporate avarice? Ridiculous, especially when we're already poised to enter the age of hyper inflation due to so much deficit spending.

There's a bill on its way to the Senate right now that's aiming to tax the gluttonous profits of Big Oil, sponsored naturally by a Democrat but with support from some Republicans. No one is buying their horseshit excuses that most of it goes back into infrastructure and R&D.

How I wish this were true. The problem is politics is funding by corporations.

Lobbying is a big issue, but the public doesn't care so it isn't addressed. Still, if our only choices are an imperfect system and anarchy we'll just have to make due with what we have and try to get more conscionable people in office.

Its legal because there is no colusion, its just a natural consequence of a nessisary product in limited supply for our economic system. If you want government to intervene, the smart thing to do would to cut off subsidies to oil companies and give massive tax incentives to develop and implement alternative fuel and energy sources.

No colusion may mean it's legal but it still isn't going to fly. When you hit people's wallets this hard you evoke a response, they want lawmakers to move and no amount of bribery will keep someone who does in their seat. Playing the tax game is nice, but you'll never see this administration atleast revoke corporate welfare for such a big industry. Even on a personal level, people are still getting a ridiculous tax break on buying Hummers while they get a token one for buying hybrids. That should be reversed entirely.

[YellerDog]

So, now the Republicans want a $100 gas rebate to all citizens? I wonder if its a week or month or one time deal.

Can this be picked up via bicycle?

[Buzzatronic]

Actually, yes there is. Limits on free-market capitalism are not a new innovation in the United States, that's why we have workers rights, child labor laws, and anti-trust. The freedom of the market does not supercede people's lives and livelihood.

And all the things you mention have a defined process to address.

Workers Rights = Strike or OSHA fines
Child Labor Laws = Prosecution
Anti-Trust = Prosecution

No one is talking about doing any of these things to the oil companies, they simply want to take money from them because they feel they are making too much profit. Once making too much money becomes a crime then the government should feel free to step in, but right now it's not. If they have reason to bring charges against the oil companies for any of the things you listed or any other reason which would result in these profits they wan to take, they should bring those charges to the courts. Arbitrarily taking money from a company simply because they have a lot of it is wrong on every level in a capitalist economy.

Also, a TAX REBATE because of what is corporate avarice? Ridiculous, especially when we're already poised to enter the age of hyper inflation due to so much deficit spending.

Greed is not a crime but if you want to penalize people for it, consider that oil companies make on average 9 cents profit per gallon of gas sold. The government makes around 40 cents per gallon. If there is "avarice" to be dealt with here it's certainly not on the part of the oil companies.

There's a bill on its way to the Senate right now that's aiming to tax the gluttonous profits of Big Oil, sponsored naturally by a Democrat but with support from some Republicans. No one is buying their horseshit excuses that most of it goes back into infrastructure and R&D.

If this bill passes it'll be a very sad day for America and our economic system in my opinion.

Lobbying is a big issue, but the public doesn't care so it isn't addressed. Still, if our only choices are an imperfect system and anarchy we'll just have to make due with what we have and try to get more conscionable people in office.

I agree with this statement but probably for the exact opposite reasons you posted it. Interesting.

No colusion may mean it's legal but it still isn't going to fly. When you hit people's wallets this hard you evoke a response, they want lawmakers to move and no amount of bribery will keep someone who does in their seat.

That's funny, people are buying more gas than ever. You'd think if it's so painful we'd slow down a bit?

[maruchan]

lol i didnt know we had an oil tycoon on our boards.. go back to suckin bushes balls ass..

[Josh]

The President's balls have an ass?