woot woot for oil prices
07-20-2008 | 08:11 PM
#81
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From: USAF
Actually, part of the recent oil price spike is the deregulation of the commodities markets, compared to 10-15 years ago. Trading and speculation rules on the commodities markets were considerably relaxed during Enron's rise to profitability, and nobody bothered to un-relax them after the company imploded, taking 401k and retirement savings with it.
If you look at energy regulation in general, talk about a monopoly, where I live, Florida, FPL doesn't have competition for general energy. I resent the fact America sleeps with the devil (Saudis) as far as oil goes.
Oil is worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
07-20-2008 | 08:51 PM
#82
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That may be correct, when speaking of true commodites. Fuel is not a luxury that we can do without...No matter what the cost, we must continue to buy it, albeit in smaller amounts. OPEC and the other oil-producing nations know this.
07-21-2008 | 01:17 PM
#84
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From: dogstyle
There are so many things wrong with this:
1) The problem is that very few urban infrastructures are designed with mass transportation in mind. Look at Seattle for example. A light rail project was approved by the voters and after $2 Billion were spent on planning a proposal went out that sent a rail line from almost the University of Washington to almost SeaTac airport. Its too easy to say we need more public transportation but where are we going to put the rail lines in most of our cities. Even if could build a transit system, how are you going to get out of the city? Very few people who work in the city live in the city. Just imagine the cost of a transit system that connects all of the population areas
.
2) Unless you want to fill our landscape with endless wind turbines (Which are only effective in certain areas) how do you propose we get away from primarily using coal for our electricity. I wonder how Gore feels about nuclear power?
3) Do you really want our government to implement taxes as a means of dictating how we live our lives. Like it or not, this country has thrived in a free market and the consumer dictactes the going price of goods. Though I don't think its coincidental that oil prices dropped the second Bush lifted the moritorium, the fact that Americans are driving less and the entire airline industry is reducing their use by 10% is a sign that gas and oil is priced too high. It will work itself out.
1) The problem is that very few urban infrastructures are designed with mass transportation in mind. Look at Seattle for example. A light rail project was approved by the voters and after $2 Billion were spent on planning a proposal went out that sent a rail line from almost the University of Washington to almost SeaTac airport. Its too easy to say we need more public transportation but where are we going to put the rail lines in most of our cities. Even if could build a transit system, how are you going to get out of the city? Very few people who work in the city live in the city. Just imagine the cost of a transit system that connects all of the population areas
. 2) Unless you want to fill our landscape with endless wind turbines (Which are only effective in certain areas) how do you propose we get away from primarily using coal for our electricity. I wonder how Gore feels about nuclear power?
3) Do you really want our government to implement taxes as a means of dictating how we live our lives. Like it or not, this country has thrived in a free market and the consumer dictactes the going price of goods. Though I don't think its coincidental that oil prices dropped the second Bush lifted the moritorium, the fact that Americans are driving less and the entire airline industry is reducing their use by 10% is a sign that gas and oil is priced too high. It will work itself out.
Secondly yes, lets see, the government has done wonders with our social security system, we all know the DMV is the epitomy of efficiency oh and lets not forget the uber-efficient FAA. Yes I want the government to run my healthcare system and get their grubby fingers back on the airline industry. Oh boy
07-21-2008 | 01:21 PM
#85
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From: dogstyle
I beg to differ sir... government regulation generally leads to long term disadvatage particularly to typical free-markets. Sure oil supply/demand has a little to do with it, however a far bigger issue is the state of the dollar... and the reason for the weak dollar is because the fed will just print more money (among other things, incl paying for war), which acts like a band-aid for a gusher. The price of oil in terms of dollars went up like 350% in the past 10 years compared to like 200% in terms of euros... however it has stayed flat in terms of gold. Regulation may give temporary fixes, however it comes with a great price to free-market stabilization.
If you look at energy regulation in general, talk about a monopoly, where I live, Florida, FPL doesn't have competition for general energy. I resent the fact America sleeps with the devil (Saudis) as far as oil goes.
Oil is worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
If you look at energy regulation in general, talk about a monopoly, where I live, Florida, FPL doesn't have competition for general energy. I resent the fact America sleeps with the devil (Saudis) as far as oil goes.
Oil is worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
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