(Above a 5 year old video on gas prices …nothing changes)
IS IT TIME TO BAN THE EXPORT OF AMERICAN GAS?
Consumer advocates angry at high gas prices are suggesting that the US restrict or ban the export of American gas. Consumers argue that if the US kept all the gas that is refined here, there would be more than enough gas for American motorists, thus gas prices would fall. The numbers back up the assertion.
According to the New York Times, domestic production of oil is at an all-time high, with the industry extracting millions of barrels more than last year. And Americans are using less gas. So why higher prices?
Experts say that gas prices are at an all-time high due in part to what happens to all the gas that is refined in the US. Now more than ever, refiners are shipping American gas out of the country. Exports of fuel have more than doubled in the last ten years. Oil companies are exporting 430,000 barrels a day of US gasoline, more than the companies are importing. All this after American taxpayers subsidize the industry.
The question many ask is: if the US bans the export of a number of items that can hurt our national interests, why isn’t gas on the list? Gas at $4.50 a gallon hurts consumers and the US economy, so why not treat American gas as a commodity that first should go to Americans, not drivers overseas.
If not an outright ban on US exports, why not a $2 a gallon tariff on US exported gas, with the proceeds going directly back to US taxpayers? And while we are at it why subsidize companies to ship products that we pay them to produce to other countries? They keep forgetting it is American gas they are sending overseas.
An export ban or tariff makes way too much sense – and with oil companies making record contributions to members of Congress, and also record profits – don’t hold your breath.
Now watch the video from 5 years ago about oil prices and profits ..nothing changes
John – there are so many issues facing us these days that there are probably dozens of things we need to do. Part of the issue is our exports. The rest:
1. Lack of competition.
2. Lobbyists
3. An out of control energy situation
4. Lobbyists
5. Speculation on Oil.
6. – - do I really have to go on?
There are too many words wasted on how we have to find “alternative energy” sources. I can’t dump seaweed into my gas tank. Where’s the wind-powered car? Some would say that we are lucky to be paying what we’re paying -but these increases have been a shock to the economy, and the big guys making the profits just keep fiddlin’ while Rome burns. Ethanol is a joke, and it won’t help keep costs down. As our beloved Washington buddies keep telling us to “eat cake” they benefit from every drop of oil sold here or elsewhere.
Where is the clarity in our situation? Nowhere. The American public needs to know the truth behind this. I know it’s not simple, and it’s been designed that way. The “big 5″ have the right to profits. BUT-can you imagine if Von’s, Albertson’s and Trader Joe’s charged $15 a gallon for milk? With the lack of competition and apparent collusion to keep gas prices high – we’re doomed. Politicians are talking to Russia about nuclear weapons, Afghanistan about peace. No one’s talking to OPEC about our issues.
It looks like we just have to look in our wallets and vote accordingly. (God help us).