tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post114809077389952080..comments2023-11-27T02:17:22.859-06:00Comments on The LawDog Files: Meditations on Price Gouging.LawDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05232684877582591461noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1148312258724274142006-05-22T10:37:00.000-05:002006-05-22T10:37:00.000-05:00Heh, I gust got back from a trip down to Robstown ...Heh, I gust got back from a trip down to Robstown Tx. In Refugio, gas was selling for 2.59/gal regular. when we got within 20 miles of Houston, it jumped to 2.90/gal. Why the huge spread? Especially given Houston's proximity to Texas City and Beaumont compared to Refugio? Ask the EPA and thier "Boutique fuels" requirement.<BR/><BR/>Just remember, they are from the government and they are here to help...NOT!Rorschachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11848860674369931761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1148248808404174272006-05-21T17:00:00.000-05:002006-05-21T17:00:00.000-05:00$2.78? My heart bleeds pink CoolAid for you.Try $...$2.78? My heart bleeds pink CoolAid for you.<BR/><BR/>Try $3.33. That's what it's like in LA LA land. And that's Regular at ARCO, which seems to be the lowrunner around these parts.<BR/><BR/>Of course, that's probably because the local taxes here are through the roof. It's probably also because the corporate lords of gasoline are squeezing every penny they can out of the local yokels here, just as they did when Enron was bidding the then governor of California to grasp his ankles and take it like a real man.<BR/><BR/>Some days I feel more than kinda like Lot sojourning with his family in Sodom, and waiting for the fire and brimstone to start raining down. <BR/><BR/>I entirely agree with the analysis, however. Good work, Dog.Bernard Brandthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00159541603126407072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1148175692901868572006-05-20T20:41:00.000-05:002006-05-20T20:41:00.000-05:00$2.89 for premium here in west central Alabama. I ...$2.89 for premium here in west central Alabama. I can't help but be glad I'm in a state that has a flat tax on gas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1148166782341459592006-05-20T18:13:00.000-05:002006-05-20T18:13:00.000-05:00I hear you, LawDog...I'm paying about $3.20-$3.25 ...I hear you, LawDog...I'm paying about $3.20-$3.25 per gallon here in CA and taxes make up at least 30% of that. The <I>best</I> part is that my great state taxes me twice (sales tax + a per-gallon surcharge) and then has the audacity to go after "big oil." <BR/><BR/>My dad used to tell me that when you point a finger at someone, you've got all the others pointed at yourself...so be careful about pointing fingers! I guess lawmakers haven't considered that one since going after big business seems to be a big business here in CA (and apparently to a certain extent in TX). <BR/><BR/>Thanks for your post; it's good to be reminded of who's actually profiting the most from high prices.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00907133211705619957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1148144814080543092006-05-20T12:06:00.000-05:002006-05-20T12:06:00.000-05:00It's hovering around $3.18 here.I note that shippi...It's hovering around $3.18 here.<BR/><BR/>I note that shipping costs for <I>everything</I> are getting ready to go sky-high. When shipping costs go up, then the cost of food, clothing, and basic staples won't be far behind.<BR/><BR/>I think we're seeing the beginning of the next Great Depression.<BR/><BR/>paxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1148143297486414812006-05-20T11:41:00.000-05:002006-05-20T11:41:00.000-05:00"Refining cost and profits: 18% - average."I'm not..."Refining cost and profits: 18% - average."<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure that's even right, I know that for YEARS the whole refining end of the business was basically only marginally profitable. <BR/>One of the many reasons that new refineries weren't being built. It was unprofitable to invest in a process that makes a commodity product. I had a oil guy tell me that only reason a lot of oil co's were doing it was so they could sell the crude, and vertical integration made it make sense.<BR/><BR/>i.e the whole precess was reasonably profitable, but the refining stage was a high cost, breakeven operation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1148139136185725542006-05-20T10:32:00.000-05:002006-05-20T10:32:00.000-05:00Exxon had a profit of some $35 billion on $335 bil...Exxon had a profit of some $35 billion on $335 billion in sales. The math is left as an exercise for the student, but I admit to difficulty in calling it "windfall" or "obscene" profits.<BR/><BR/>I also note that nobody sympathized with "Big Oil" when awl was $10 a barrel.<BR/><BR/>Last I heard, oil cost the Saudis some $3/bbl at the wellhead. Who'd making "obscene profits"? Not much higher, I'd bet, in Iran.<BR/><BR/>It's much easier to bite the hand that feeds your car, though...<BR/><BR/>ArtAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1148100702830552452006-05-19T23:51:00.000-05:002006-05-19T23:51:00.000-05:00$3.00+ per gallon here in Bend Oregon. Suck it up...$3.00+ per gallon here in Bend Oregon. Suck it up and walk it off...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com