Posted by Bonnie_CO on 4/14/06 3:55pm
Msg #113651

Gas prices and solutions revisited...

I think all US citizens that purchase gas should file a class action lawsuit against the oil companies, ie: Exxon, Shell etc. Since they are price gouging us and bragging about thier profits being up, there has to be some kind of solution. Maybe we could sue for fraud? I don't know what the solution would be, but that's just a thought.

Reply by SharonMN on 4/14/06 4:07pm
Msg #113652

Just a thought - look up how much people in OTHER countries pay for gas. We have it good here. That's why we can drive big cars. One of the largest standard cars available for rental in England is the size of a Chevy Cavalier, which is one of the smaller US cars. It cost about US $70 to fill up its little tank when I was there, and that was 2-3 years ago when gas was a lot cheaper.

If you don't want to pay for gas, try driving a more fuel-efficient car, driving less often (sharing rides or combining trips), or lobbying for more public transportation so you have a viable alternative to driving. There's nothing illegal about making a profit. We drink Coke without complaining and look how much they make for a sugar + water drink. Not everything unpleasant warrants a court case.

(P.S. I drive a 1/2 ton pickup, so I do feel the pain. In fact, I'm looking for a used Honda Civic...)

Reply by Bonnie_CO on 4/14/06 4:28pm
Msg #113656

Yeah, I imagine a 1/2 ton does use a lot! My car gets 32 mpg. I just wonder how the poor people are making it. Do they choose between buying gas to get to work or their electric bill, they have to get to work so they can try and pay their bills. If they are in a rural area, without public transportation, then what do they do? Yes, other countries pay more, but a lot of those countries also have things like National Health Insurance etc. too.
Public transportation is a good idea, it works in cities, rural areas don't have anything like that . Also sharing rides does not work when you do the type of work we do.
I agree that there is nothing wrong with making a profit, but price gouging is a whole 'nother story! The gas prices have always gone up during the times most people travel, ie: holidays, summer etc. I know, supply and demand. But when they charge more for something like deisel than they do for gas, and deisel is a lot cheaper to make, then something's going on.
It's one thing to make a decent profit, but it's another thing to take advantage of people. Anyway, like I said, it's just my opinion, it's not set in stone or anything.

Reply by CATWOMAN/PA on 4/14/06 5:11pm
Msg #113660

Plus we are POWERBUYERS (USA), so comparing Europe to us isn't valid, we should get a less expensive rate per gallon than the smaller countries. Is a base fee of $75 fair for 10-20miles?

Reply by DogmongerCA on 4/14/06 5:17pm
Msg #113661

"Is a base fee of $75 fair for 10-20miles?"

It may or may not be "fair" depending on your location. A 10 to 20 mile trip in a major metropolitan area will take you considerably longer than the same mileage in a rural setting. And sometimes the rural areas may take a great deal more time do to road conditions, detours, weather, ect. I would base my fees more on my time spent deadheading than strictly by the mileage. JMHO.

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 4/14/06 6:12pm
Msg #113667

Re: "Is a base fee of $75 fair for 10-20miles?"

Subaru makes a great car for the snow but the all wheel drive eats tremendous gas...poor mileage.....

Reply by DonR_NYC on 4/15/06 3:35pm
Msg #113782

The bottom line here is a Washington administration that is beholden to the big oil companies. Let's be realistic here; Exxon claimed record profits in EXCESS of $3 BILLION!!!! Yet the oil companies claim that they just don't have the production facilities to process oil into gas. Then they claimed Katrina caused the shortfall. Then they claimed the supply is higher than they can produce. Excuse me, but I find it VERY hard to believe that there has been a huge increase in cars between last year and this year to justify the almost 80 cent increase in just 12 months. It is all nothing but a scam to increase profits and Washington sits on its hands doing nothing (and this is BOTH parties).

The USA is suppose to be the world leader in everything yet Brazil is now 95% oil free because they went with alternative fuels (i.e. E85) to replace its dependence on foreign oil. Sometimes I feel like I live in a third world county. The USA has the brain power to produce alternative fuel but big oil won’t allow it. Now you tell me; who is really running this country?

Reply by newlysmomva on 4/17/06 8:51am
Msg #113950

I agree!! With all of the corn, grain, etc we produce, we should be able to manufacture cheap alternative fuel with no problem!!! If Brazil can do it so can we!!