Ripoff oil prices

[WIP]

The price of gasoline is controlled by the oil companies and is not in pace with the price of oil on the market. We all know that there is some price fixing going on but governments are unwilling to tackle it.

I buy most of my gas at a reserve in southern Ontario, where the current price of gas is around $1.12 per litre. The neighbouring communities have gas at the pumps at $1.29. The explanation I get from the reserve gas station owners is they buy gas at one price and sell at that price with their mark-up until the tanks are empty. Funny things is they manage to always buy enough gas to last out these spikes in prices and so I suspect the next tanks will be as cheap as the ones are now....right after Easter....

The price of gasoline is not completely controlled by the oil companies, otherwise they would still be trying to keep prices low enough to keep alternative energy sources out of the marketplace and maintain their energy monopoly. Fact is they wouldn't be cooking tar sands out west, or drilling through two miles of rock under the ocean floors to try to keep the joyride going, if there was still cheap, easily accessible supplies of oil to meet the demand. Until a few years ago, whenever prices got too high, they could always count on Saudi Arabia to bump up their production to bring world oil prices down to what they considered the optimal level. Right now, oil prices are destined to keep climbing, and the only breaks we are going to see is when capitalist economies sputter into recession because of rising energy costs. Whenever economic growth improves, oil prices will go up to higher levels....so the era of cheap gas is in the past.

There is always going to be price-fixing in commodity markets. Most of the run-up in oil and gas prices two years ago, was caused by hoarding and demands on the oil futures markets. But price-fixing is only telling a small part of the story. The savings you are getting on the reserve have more to do with having to pay less taxes, than on station owners holding the line on prices. In Hamilton, I can think of at least two gas stations that are always undercutting their competitors by 2 to 4 cents a liter, because the new highways cut the traffic count where they are located. So, the people who do a lot more driving than I do, will line up at the cheap stations rather than pay a few cents more at the ones that are trying to make a small profit, or at least break even on gas sales.

[WIP]

It's another of August's frequently downright bizarre declarations.

Microwave ovens are not expensive. The idea that the French cannot afford them is absolutely ludicrous.

It's completely made up. It has no basis whatsoever in reality.

If the French make less use of microwave ovens, it's entirely a cultural matter, and has zero to do with finances.

That's what I was figuring also. People I know, who have spent time in France, have often remarked about how much more time they put into shopping for food and cooking than we do....TV diners are not big sellers over there apparently. Even if microwave ovens were as expensive as they were 30 years ago, having one, or having a bigger house does not tell us about the quality of life that the owners of big houses and new appliances are living.

[bush_cheney2004]

If someone can refute the larger underlying economic discrepancies that August1991 refers to, please do so. Until then, the Europeans will continue to have...less stuff.

Floor space:

http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2010/01/eu-vs-usa-part-iv.html

Many US states have a higher per capita GDP that EU nations:

http://www.timbro.se/bokhandel/pdf/9175665646.pdf

[dre]

That's what I was figuring also. People I know, who have spent time in France, have often remarked about how much more time they put into shopping for food and cooking than we do....TV diners are not big sellers over there apparently. Even if microwave ovens were as expensive as they were 30 years ago, having one, or having a bigger house does not tell us about the quality of life that the owners of big houses and new appliances are living.

I spent some time in France last year and one thing I noticed is that people eat a lot more fresh produce and vegetables and less processed food. I can understand why someone that lives on Pizza Pockets and TV dinners might think that the microwave oven represents the absolute pinnacle of human achievment, but people that think like this just have a limited perspective.

[dre]

If someone can refute the larger underlying economic discrepancies that August1991 refers to, please do so. Until then, the Europeans will continue to have...less stuff.

Floor space:

http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2010/01/eu-vs-usa-part-iv.html

Many US states have a higher per capita GDP that EU nations:

http://www.timbro.se/bokhandel/pdf/9175665646.pdf

[bloodyminded]

If someone can refute the larger underlying economic discrepancies that August1991 refers to, please do so.

Already did. The unattainable luxury of microwave ovens was an important component of his thesis.

[WIP]

If someone can refute the larger underlying economic discrepancies that August1991 refers to, please do so. Until then, the Europeans will continue to have...less stuff.

Floor space:

http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2010/01/eu-vs-usa-part-iv.html

Many US states have a higher per capita GDP that EU nations:

http://www.timbro.se/bokhandel/pdf/9175665646.pdf

Until you address the issue of income gaps, per capita GDP numbers mean squat. American life expectancy numbers are dropping, as are whole host of quality of life numbers. As Joesph Stiglitz points out in a recent editorial in Vanity Fair, the top 1% are in control, and managing everything for their own benefit. And...about those life expectancy numbers...if the U.S. was number one, why do they rank 36 among the list of nations? All of those European countries you conservatives hate...including France...rank higher than the U.S., and most of them rank higher than Canada, which is at number 11 on the list:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_life_expectancy

[bush_cheney2004]

Until you address the issue of income gaps, per capita GDP numbers mean squat.

So you cannot refute the underlying metric as stated...thought so.

American life expectancy numbers are dropping, as are whole host of quality of life numbers.

The oldest man in the world just died in the United States...his advice for longevity...don't be afraid to die.

[WIP]

So you cannot refute the underlying metric as stated...thought so.

The underlying metric is fatally flawed from the start, since it uses that premise that material wealth = happiness and wellbeing. It doesn't connect, and we are living in an overcrowded, overpolluted world that cannot afford the culture of materialism any longer.

The oldest man in the world just died in the United States...his advice for longevity...don't be afraid to die.

And having the oldest man in the world still did not raise U.S. ranking higher than 36! It's worth noting that the continued growth of the wealth gap, and the growing numbers of Americans who have lost health insurance are going to be likely factors for continued decline the next time we look at these numbers.

[bush_cheney2004]

Already did. The unattainable luxury of microwave ovens was an important component of his thesis.

The point is not availability....but one of distinction. In France, and many other nations, there is a separate market segment for "American Style" appliances, from washing machines to dishwashers to fridges (and microwave ovens). Preference and purchase of such appliances reflects a desire for a living standard that is different.

Edited April 16, 2011 by bush_cheney2004

[bush_cheney2004]

The underlying metric is fatally flawed from the start, since it uses that premise that material wealth = happiness and wellbeing. It doesn't connect, and we are living in an overcrowded, overpolluted world that cannot afford the culture of materialism any longer.

You are making a value judgement...please permit others to do the same, if you don't mind.

And having the oldest man in the world still did not raise U.S. ranking higher than 36! It's worth noting that the continued growth of the wealth gap, and the growing numbers of Americans who have lost health insurance are going to be likely factors for continued decline the next time we look at these numbers.

I sure hope so...women live longer in Japan compared to Canada or the USA, but that may change, no?

[bloodyminded]

The point is not availability....but one of distinction.

For you, perhaps, but that was not to what I was responding; I was responding to August's point that the relative lack of microwave ovens in France is somehow correlated with their awful material paucity. That's laughable.

In France, and many other nations, there is a separate market segment for "American Style" appliances, from washing machines to dishwashers to fridges (and microwave ovens). Preference and purchase of such appliances reflects a desire for a living standard that is different.

A microwave oven does not, for most of us, have any substantive effect on "living standard."

I've lived with and without, and there's no distinction in "living standard" even vaguely worth discussing.

Edited April 16, 2011 by bloodyminded

[bush_cheney2004]

For you, perhaps, but that was not to what I was responding; I was responding to August's point that the relative lack of microwave ovens in France is somehow correlated with their awful material paucity. That's laughable.

I have not expressed an opinion concerning paucity, only differences associated with a desired living standard and domestic labor.

A microwave oven does not, for most of us, have any substantive effect on "living standard."

I've lived with and without, and there's no distinction in "living standard" even vaguely worth discussing.

For you perhaps, but some others in Europe are voting with their wallets and purses.

[bush_cheney2004]

[bloodyminded]

I have not expressed an opinion concerning paucity

No, I know you weren't. You may have been offering a rational argument. My disagreement has been with the irrational argument of another poster.

For you perhaps, but some others in Europe are voting with their wallets and purses.

That someone buys a microwave doesn't mean they feel their lives are bereft without it. It doesn't either mean that they consider it very important. Most people do not consider it very important, and they're right to think so. Hell, just today I bought one of the new Angus Third Pounders at McDonald's. Didn't need it. Ate it anyway.

If I hadn't, my life would not have been noticeably worse.

[bush_cheney2004]

...If I hadn't, my life would not have been noticeably worse.

Most Americans don't feel worse for the lack of a bidet in their bathrooms either.

[bloodyminded]

Most Americans don't feel worse for the lack of a bidet in their bathrooms either.

I sympathize. I don't notice that I'm missing anything there. Could my behind be cleaner? I dunno, I'm a frequent showerer.

[bush_cheney2004]

I sympathize. I don't notice that I'm missing anything there. Could my behind be cleaner? I dunno, I'm a frequent showerer.

North American toilet paper is softer, up to three ply, and we also have wet "wipes". No flies on me.

[bloodyminded]

North American toilet paper is softer, up to three ply, and we also have wet "wipes". No flies on me.

Why am I finding this turn of conversation disturbing? I've got to toughen up my sensibilities when it comes to the scatological.

[bush_cheney2004]

Why am I finding this turn of conversation disturbing? I've got to toughen up my sensibilities when it comes to the scatological.

Well, as you have indicated, I had never given much thought to the impact of appliances in general on one's "standard of living" until noticing the proximity of pay laundromats to rental housing. More so than food preparation, there is nothing that so clearly distinguishes the perceived difference, particularly with the decline of "solar" clothes drying so common in the early 20th century, but still popular in Europe!

Few purchases have delighted my spouse more than a modern energy efficient, washer-dryer duo with choice of six paint colors and matching pedestal bases. The damn things even sing a song when one of nineteen possible cycle combinations is complete.

[dre]

So you cannot refute the underlying metric as stated...thought so.

The oldest man in the world just died in the United States...his advice for longevity...don't be afraid to die.

So you cannot refute the underlying metric as stated...thought so.

Nobody is TRYING to refute it. The problem is its only one of about 30 different metrics you need to look at.

The oldest man in the world just died in the United States...his advice for longevity...don't be afraid to die.

And that has WHAT to do with this conversation?

[Moonlight Graham]

If you believe so, then buy their shares.

I don't believe so, i know so. And i do own shares. If you can't fix the system, might as well get make money off it like they do.

[bush_cheney2004]

Nobody is TRYING to refute it. The problem is its only one of about 30 different metrics you need to look at.

Not from an American / Canadian vantage...."we" live the way we do out of choices made possible by the economics of cheaper energy, lower population density, private transportation, stable political system, etc. One need only count the number of immigrants to see which is preferred.

And that has WHAT to do with this conversation?

...there is more to life than just life expectancy.

Edited April 17, 2011 by bush_cheney2004

[bloodyminded]

Few purchases have delighted my spouse more than a modern energy efficient, washer-dryer duo with choice of six paint colors and matching pedestal bases. The damn things even sing a song when one of nineteen possible cycle combinations is complete.

I will grant you, there's no going back on that score. If I demanded a return to laundromat-life, my wife would beat me senseless.

[dre]

Not from an American / Canadian vantage...."we" live the way we do out of choices made possible by the economics of cheaper energy, lower population density, private transportation, stable political system, etc. One need only count the number of immigrants to see which is preferred.

...there is more to life than just life expectancy.

Yeah thats the point I was making. Life expectancy is just one factor as is GDP. You dont need to be so defensive because the US is always ranked pretty high.