Gas prices - let's stick it to those greedy fat-cat oil companies!
Lots of folks have been talking about gas prices lately. Generally the comments are negative and people are looking for someone to blame. Do we even have a legitimate complaint against the price of gas? Who's really responsible for the high prices?
First off, we have the complaint itself. It usually goes something like this, "Prices are so high, it's putting the squeeze on Americans. The government ought to do something about it." Or, "Those fat-cat oil companies are getting rich off of our hardship; Make them pay!"
I won't argue that high fuel prices might put some people in a bind for cash. So do high utility costs, high food costs, and high haircut prices. It's the solution that's troubling to me. When any good or service becomes dramatically more expensive, rational people find alternatives. You either find a replacement or go without. For some reason, people feel ENTITLED to cheap fuel. Why? I suppose it's because it's been cheap for a long time. No matter what the reason, when prices go up on gas, the public wants blood. So, like any spoiled little brat, they cry for Mommy. Or Nannie. Or the Nannie State in this case - the US Federal Government. They whine to the State like a kid on a playground who wants a toy that someone else has. "Make him give it to me, I'm entitled!" Well unfortunately, I think these crybabies will someday get what they want - a fully regulated nanny/police state where there really are no freedoms, but the public is protected from evil corporate greed and unpredictable firearm owners. Just think about what you're saying when you cry out for the government to "Do something!", because all they know how to do is make laws. Laws restrict freedom. It's a one-way street that leads to oppression. So cry if you want. Just don't be surprised if you ever have a successful business that attracts the sheeple's attention. and your well-earned wages are garnished because you've done too well.
So if it's not the oil industry's fault, who can we blame for high gas prices? Look no further than your state and federal legislature and their well-armed tax collectors. Do you have any idea how much you put in the government coffers every time you fill up? To get an idea, check out http://www.gaspricewatch.com/usgastaxes.asp.
New York state levies a 32 cent/gallon tax on gasoline, plus about 8 cents/gallon for sales tax. Add to that the 18 c/g federal tax and you're looking at almost 60 c/g in taxes. That's roughly 20%, as showin in the graphic from conoco phillips.
Oil companies make about 7 cents/gallon. If you want to make your gas cheaper, your efforts would be better spent trying to repeal taxes.
First off, we have the complaint itself. It usually goes something like this, "Prices are so high, it's putting the squeeze on Americans. The government ought to do something about it." Or, "Those fat-cat oil companies are getting rich off of our hardship; Make them pay!"
I won't argue that high fuel prices might put some people in a bind for cash. So do high utility costs, high food costs, and high haircut prices. It's the solution that's troubling to me. When any good or service becomes dramatically more expensive, rational people find alternatives. You either find a replacement or go without. For some reason, people feel ENTITLED to cheap fuel. Why? I suppose it's because it's been cheap for a long time. No matter what the reason, when prices go up on gas, the public wants blood. So, like any spoiled little brat, they cry for Mommy. Or Nannie. Or the Nannie State in this case - the US Federal Government. They whine to the State like a kid on a playground who wants a toy that someone else has. "Make him give it to me, I'm entitled!" Well unfortunately, I think these crybabies will someday get what they want - a fully regulated nanny/police state where there really are no freedoms, but the public is protected from evil corporate greed and unpredictable firearm owners. Just think about what you're saying when you cry out for the government to "Do something!", because all they know how to do is make laws. Laws restrict freedom. It's a one-way street that leads to oppression. So cry if you want. Just don't be surprised if you ever have a successful business that attracts the sheeple's attention. and your well-earned wages are garnished because you've done too well.
So if it's not the oil industry's fault, who can we blame for high gas prices? Look no further than your state and federal legislature and their well-armed tax collectors. Do you have any idea how much you put in the government coffers every time you fill up? To get an idea, check out http://www.gaspricewatch.com/usgastaxes.asp.
New York state levies a 32 cent/gallon tax on gasoline, plus about 8 cents/gallon for sales tax. Add to that the 18 c/g federal tax and you're looking at almost 60 c/g in taxes. That's roughly 20%, as showin in the graphic from conoco phillips.
Oil companies make about 7 cents/gallon. If you want to make your gas cheaper, your efforts would be better spent trying to repeal taxes.
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You don't have trackback so here's My post on the subject
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