take back our oil

[madmax]

If you don't like the price of fuel maybe you should vote in a government that doesn't at cabon taxes to your fuel. Maybe one should be elected that would reduce the gas taxes, reduce government regulation, one that would encourage the free market economy instead of the statist one that is currently promoted.

oh, the connundrum. People want lower gas. And many political parties are looking to increase gas taxes for their coffers, erm, the environment?....

There is no political partie that represents everything you have said above.

Maybe need to start the

"GAS PARTY"

And tell me.. Why is Diesel more then Reg gas?

[madmax]

If I was part of an industry conspirasy to inflate prices I would make sure that no one would notice. This would mean infrequent small price changes. The fact that gas prices change so quickly is a sign of intense competition at the retail level. OTOH, there is not as much competition at the refinery level, however, that has been largely a result of government policies that make it very difficult to build new refineries.

1) Government doesn't want to build refineries

2) Public doesn't want them because it is a NIMBY issue.

3) The US doesn't want us refining oil

[madmax]

Way too niave? You seem to lack the basic understanding of how the global economy works, you are niave to think that a cheap energy policy won't bankrupt our country. The global markket would still exist beyond NAfta which is what you are thinking of, global maket is not northa america, it is the whole globe.

Nafta is designed to serve the US with oil.

Not the Global Economy.

There is nothing in the Global economy in NAFTA.

NAFTA does not allow for an Export Tax on Oil.

We could tax others, but then you get into the all the WTO, GATT and similar issues.

[madmax]

It is a contributing factor to inflation, but really drives up the cost of gas (or the inflation of gas prices if you will) is simple more people want it hence higher demand, refineries are operating close to capacity, so that equals static supply. So either you move into government rationing and everbody gets a little bit, or those willing to pay more get more. Economics 101.

DITTO, that is a great analysis of the choice available.

Currently it is the latter.

Edited April 24, 2008 by madmax

[madmax]

entrepreneurial 101 dictates that one attempts to monopolize a market then determine what the highest possible price/volume ratio a consumer will pay for it to maximize profits!

DITTO, add that to your oppositional counterpart argument.

We are getting there. Soon we can all be economics majors.

Speaking of which... Wheres Geoffrey?

[madmax]

As I understand it market value is derived when the manager of our Co-op gas bar and the manager of the

.....................

It's done electronically from head office now. THe prices change automatically, some on the signs outside, just that fast.

Yup competition amongst a few.

[madmax]

any consumer in Ontario with a hundred thousand in invested savings probablty paid an extra 20 bucks last month for gas but their portfolio increased by $3,000 or so due to increased energy values and thus confidence in the Canadian economy.

Erm, how many people earning $9. in the growing economy have $100,000 to invest in oil speculation? Maybe the elderly who have made it successfully, maybe the doctors, lawyers, and oh, an oreodontist or two.

How do I make $100,000 to invest in eating Oreos?

Or do I have to learn to play guitar?