Posted on 05/05/2006 11:25:26 AM PDT by 7thson
I am writing this letter in answer to article concerning high gas prices, in the May 3 edition of the Calvert Independent.
In addressing the high gasoline prices, I am not surprised to see the slant, or “spin,” that the greedy oil companies are the blame for the high prices. It never fails to amaze me when liberal minds continually spout the talking points spewed forth daily by the media. Why are gasoline prices high? Who is to blame?
First, we have the onerous fuel blend regulations of the Carol Browner EPA of 1997, creating nearly 30 fuel blends nationwide. These fuel blends spike prices every spring because they come on line every year at this time. Fuel demand increases every years outstripping refinery capacity. The United States has not constructed a refinery since 1977. Why? Because of environmental regulations. Second, the MTBE additive industry is out of business due to endless lawsuits due to ground water contamination issues. To replace the loss of the MTBE additive, we now rely more on ethanol, mandated by the EPA. This is more expensive because we cannot produce ethanol as easily or cheaply or in the same quantities as MTBE. Due to a shortage of additive supplies this year, gas prices go up. Third, demands in the states have risen 8 percent, with the addition of more demands from China and India. Fourth, refineries put off-line by Katrina last year are not yet fully back on line. These four factors help create a “perfect storm,” driving up gasoline prices nationwide. However, there are other factors involved in Maryland.
I urge readers to look up a news story printed by The Washington Post, May 6, 2005, titled Maryland Hits Brakes on Fleeting Gasoline Price War. The main point of the article is stations such as Wawa, Sheetz, BJ’s, Costco, and Safeway, are unable, by a law enacted by the Maryland General Assembly, to offer lower prices to consumers. Why? To quote from the article “Independent service station owners pressed lawmakers for the measure as a way to protect themselves from big retailers selling gas below cost to drive them out of business and limit competition.” Therefore, if an independent station receives gas supplies at a high price, the station owner will pass the cost onto the consumer. Just as Bowen Florists passes their costs onto the consumer. Those who work and operate Bowen Florists should thank their relative, Gordon Bowen, for helping to keep gas prices high.
So, who is to blame for high gas prices? Those responsible for high gas prices are Democrat liberal politicians and those who continually elect them into office. Carol Browner worked for the Clinton Administration. Environmental watch groups support and promote liberal Democratic politicians. These politicians, along with those working and running the EPA, prevent oil companies from drilling within the United States or building more refineries to process the crude oil. There are only 170 refineries within the United States, down from over 250 in 1977. Environment groups and Democrat politicians have continually blocked oil companies from drilling within the United States for decades. Yet, Cuba is now allowing China to drill in their waters, where citizens will see their oilrigs off the Florida Keys. Due to these policies over the past 30 to 40 years, the United States is dependent on fuel from the likes of Mid East countries and the communist whacko from Venezuela. Recently, the communist elected to lead Bolivia took control of the oil fields there. Expect BP and ExxonMobil to go up again.
The only fault I lay at the feet of the oil companies is not exerting their financial muscle to create more refineries and to drill within the United States. Do you want cheaper gas prices? Unfortunately, there is no short-term solution. In the long-term view, though, the average citizen can vote for those who will make us energy independent. Vote for people who will change the anti-competitive law in Maryland, giving the consumer a price choice.
The information I briefly listed above is available to anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear. The Calvert Independent and their reporters do everyone a disservice by not researching the facts and presenting them to the public. The main job of the media is to be a watchdog for the public. By constantly spewing forth the Democrat mantra of blaming the oil companies, The Calvert Independent becomes a lapdog vice a watchdog. The citizens are ill served by not having all the facts presented to them.
Carolyn
You might consider rewording that - otherwise GREAT LETTER!
I wonder if it's too long for publication though.
It's too long....unless they print it as a "special opinion" piece.....then, MAYBE.
A little bit. I read this Wednesday night and it set me off. If it gets printed, maybe it might change a few minds.
It's a really good letter, but I suggest you remove the following portions.....maybe then it'll get printed. Or try to get them to let you do a special citizen editorial.
So, who is to blame for high gas prices? Those responsible for high gas prices are Democrat liberal politicians and those who continually elect them into office. Carol Browner worked for the Clinton Administration. Environmental watch groups support and promote liberal Democratic politicians. These politicians, along with those working and running the EPA, prevent oil companies from drilling within the United States or building more refineries to process the crude oil.
The only fault I lay at the feet of the oil companies is not exerting their financial muscle to create more refineries and to drill within the United States. Do you want cheaper gas prices? Unfortunately, there is no short-term solution.
The information I briefly listed above is available to anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear.
By constantly spewing forth the Democrat mantra of blaming the oil companies, The Calvert Independent becomes a lapdog vice a watchdog.
Let's also point out a simple and obvious truth:
There is $1 trillion of oil in ANWR, and several trillion worth of oil in offshore US areas. Both are offlimits because the Govt forbids drilling in these areas. If we opened up ANWR 10 years ago, we'd have 1 million bpd in extra supply and could displace some of Iran's supply. Prices would be much lower, and US production would be higher and our trade deficit lower.
Further, the enviornmental impact is miniscule, certainly nothing compared to the trillion-dollar impact of access to this domestic supply of oil. The opposition to ANWR comes from people who want higher oil prices and are willing to keep us dependent on foreign oil to do so.
Politicians and Governments are causing high gas prices, not oil companies.
The irony is that oil is so easy to get out, that it becomes 'easy money' that is prey to corrupt and violent types wanting to control it.
You are probably right. But considering in this issue of the paper was a letter complaining about Republicans, I am slightly hopeful - okay, delusional - that this will be printed. Thank you for you comment and I will rework this weekend.
Do I have your permission to use this?
Come on, buddy. Everybody knows gas prices are high because we have an oilman in the White House who is conducting an illegal war while helping pad the retirement benefits of the King Of Exxon to the tune of $400 million a year. We don't need piddling details like the ones you cite.
(sarcasm)
Good letter.
Prices of motor car fuel, like every other commodity in the universe, respond to the supply/demand curve. Prices automatically rise until there arrives a strike point between supply, the amount available for sale at any given moment, and the demand, the amount required by the market at the moment. There is actually no fixed place where this point remains constantly. As the price continues to rise, either the consumer finds a less expensive substitute, or reduces use of the commodity, by various forms of economizing. As this produces a surplus of the commodity, over a wide range of consumers, demand falls, and price drops.
Reduce demand, and supply remaining the same, the price will go down.
What is ironic about the article I read, the local businesses profiled state they have to raise their prices to offset the cost they have to pay for fuel and the costs other businesses place upon them. They seem to be of the opinion that the oil companies should not be allowed to do this while they can.
Of course! ... I'll come up with more on the weekend, I want to send a similar letter. Will link it to you later.
Let us know when you finish it up.....some of us might want to plagarize it for our family and friends....LOL.
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