[chrisser]

I wasn’t aware that it was a requirement to understand all the economics of an industry to hold an opinion.

You're free to hold any opinions you want. You choose to espouse them on a public forum, and they show that you don't understand how commodity pricing works. You can complain about it, and blame it on the producers, and maybe you can convince a government agent to intervene and make the problem worse, but you may as well be complaining that the sun rises in the east. Prices for commodities rise faster than they fall. Its the nature of the beast and its especially true in a volatile (pardon the pun) market like gasoline. It has to do with the nature of cost accounting, the level of inventory carried by the various agents, and the flow of information about costs, prices and future supply & demand.

The general public doesn’t know and doesn’t care about the details.

Then they will get the government (and market, and oil prices) they deserve.

The stupidity of the electorate is why we are a republic and not a democracy. Unfortunately, it hasn't saved us.

[Realism]

the level of inventory carried

BINGO....... Less inventory is less overhead, volatile trading, and higher prices.

[SAJ]

Exceptionally well said!

WTG, and FReegards!