Gonzo, the market is ‘controlled’ by the governments who own and produce 88% of the the world’s oil. I don’t know what that has to do with how much any private company makes, but it should give you a taste on how much those governments make. What competition do you expect from the private companies who control only 12% of the world’s production? They don’t make much money from gas stations, so many oil companies don’t have them. The refineries are expensive and tough to get built because of all the regulations. And there is nothing stopping you and adhay from opening up your own gas station to provide that competition. Why don’t you?
You think Exxon makes money from oil? Where are the numbers of how much your government makes from the taxes and royalties on oil and gas? How many jobs are in the oil industry and how many in the industries that support them?
And I’m still waiting for either one of you to inform us on how you propose to fund resource development in the third world without private companies. Well? I understand you don’t want those evil companies there, so where will the money come from?
I don’t care if you are in deep denial about what actually faces the vast majority of the human race today or if you are merely a conscious toady/troll of the Corporate Kleptocracy. It makes no difference.
Anyone who can endlessly maintain your character on these Boards is a Standup Comedy Hall Of Famer on par with GW Bush. :golf clap:
I’m new here. So what is it with your nom de plume? Are you just a gun nut or are you an Israeli gun nut? Other?
Anyhow, I was young once too and held opinions much like your own. In my later years, I’ve realized that I had been an asshole most of my life.
Just saying.
ETA I spent my first 7 years out of college working aerospace. Wake up.
Nobody wants oil companies to disappear tomorrow. Hell I want more of them I want so many that they compete. is that an alien concept to you?
Gas stations don’t decide prices. The oil companies actually have computers that change what they charge the station and the pump price automatically. Do you really not understand that either?
Read up on oligarchy . We have it all over America. How many cable companies are there. Hows the price shopping there?
Don’t be obtuse. The station price is determined by the oil companies. There is little wiggle room for them to compete. That is why they stress selling groceries and drinks to stay above water.
No, the rack price is set by oil company. The station price is set by the marketer, unless it is owned by the oil company. It is true that the margin for gas is pretty low, while the margin on Cheetos, a Coke and a pack of Marlboros is nice and high. Mini-marts are the source of profit, gasoline is the source of revenue.
You can purchase fuel in bulk, store, and top yourself off in some areas. We used to keep diesel for the tractors and our trucks on the farm. We topped it off every now and then so that we could keep the equipment running.
The price of oil is a financial game played by markets. It is bought and sold by speculators who drive it up or kill it with gambling and guessing. The stations are minor players ,with nothing to work with. The Latest News from the UK and Around the World | Sky News Even OPEC is powerless to control the speculation manipulating the market.
Here’s the first stanza of a little tune I wrote back in '88. You’ve been dancing to it all your life. The choreography you’ve worked out, however, is rudimentary. Just push your snout a little further into the public trough.
Oh, I can’t see further than the evening news
I’m lost in all that snow.
The man in charge gives me his views
And I say yes or no.
But that’s about my say in it
Except I go to work.
Now I won’t tell you if you don’t ask me
But we must be some kind of jerk.
I’ve asked quite a few times how you intend to fund development of third world countries without using corporate money (because governments have had their chance and essentially do nothing) and have had no answers from you. Why should anyone comment on your link until then?
According to Gen Butler, Chief Corporate Warlord for 30 years http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smedley_Butler, our Corporate warlord on the ground (check it out, if you dare), Corporate Investment in developing the third world amounts to directing taxpayer money to employing the US Miltary to break up popular resistance to the Corporate takeover of its resources.
Then, once the social and agricultural infrastructures are fragmented, we choose the most ruthless, corrupt and predatory faction, arm and fund them, courtesy of the US taxpayer, and proceed to roll in on bribes pushing the disposable indigenous folk into collateral damage.
(Give me one counter-example. Or comment on the cite. Or just stfu. All due respect.)
Only then, insured of a soft labor market, does the Corporate Kleptocracy fully invest in the tools for a thorough extraction of anything of value. The locals are left with Freedom, Democracy And Toxic Waste.
