jot9011 Posted July 11, 2008 Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 Last time I checked, the oil companies profits were in the 8-10% range (you can look this information up yourself as their profit margins are posted in most business publications). That is in line with any other major corporation. There are a lot of costs involved in finding, recovering and refining oil. These companies spend in the trillions on discovery efforts alone. The costs for simply upgrading/expanding current refineries can cost hundreds of millions. The record profits are from record consumption. It's not some grand conspiracy by the oil companies, it's simple supply and demand. While I would have to agree with you, The oil companies solution to the problem is not the right one. The oil comapnies basic approach is, to figure out how we can keep using more and more energy and increase supply of fossil fuels, so they can continue to sell them, and we continue to burn them. The long-term approach to addressing the issue IMO would require two things: Invest in alternative energy technologiesShift our consumer culture into one that values efficiency, conservation and forward-thinking. Quite difficult to implement, especially in a country where GM continues to make Hummers because Americans keep buying them. The task is to change thinking here in America Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SportsterRider Posted July 12, 2008 Report Share Posted July 12, 2008 While I would have to agree with you, The oil companies solution to the problem is not the right one. The oil comapnies basic approach is, to figure out how we can keep using more and more energy and increase supply of fossil fuels, so they can continue to sell them, and we continue to burn them. The long-term approach to addressing the issue IMO would require two things: Invest in alternative energy technologiesShift our consumer culture into one that values efficiency, conservation and forward-thinking. Quite difficult to implement, especially in a country where GM continues to make Hummers because Americans keep buying them. The task is to change thinking here in America I would LOVE to see real investment in alternative fuels, but not by the gov't. Any time the gov't gets it's fingers in something, it becomes bloated, inefficient and non-effective. Gov't doesn't create anything - it simply redistributes wealth. Like most things in a capitalist society, market demand drives innovation and mindset. When gas get's too expensive and/or profits from alternative fuels, electric or hydrogen cars, etc, become worth looking at, that is when you'll see a real/effective effort in alternative fuels and a wide acceptance from the populace. And personally, this is how I want it as this is how the US system works best. If the gov't tries to force it on the market, it'll be poorly implemented and give everyone a sour taste over it. I'd rather wait for the market to drive this innovation and get a quality product, rather than a 'welfare' version that turns folks off of the idea. I doubt we'll be using anything but internal combustion engines for the next fifty years, at the least. By then, technology will have advanced enough, and fossil fuels will have gotten expensive enough, that we'll have real, usable, alternatives (and by usable, I mean USABLE - not just as a 'feel good' gimmick that doesn't work well for anything other than a quick trip to the grocery store) AND an infrastructure in place to handle it, due to market demands. Anyway, I'm getting ready to make my trip back to Pittsburgh. Shouldn't take more than 45 gallons, or so, to get there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
client9 Posted July 12, 2008 Report Share Posted July 12, 2008 People, relax. Just because things are changing doesn't mean that they are getting worse. Overall these changes are beneficial for everyone. With high gas prices, we will see a return to locally produced goods. We will see housing developers make communities more people friendly. Waiting in traffic will become a thing of the past as work becomes more local. Natural resources will be conserved and the environment will become cleaner. Cities and nightlife will become amazing here in the US, just like Spain or France. I could go on. Mark my words, this isn't the beginning of the end, but the beginning of a brighter and cleaner future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted July 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2008 I think in relation to Lanikai original starter post in this thread, this article that appeared today is telling for us here on these tiny dots in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. High inflation and high housing & living costs has taken a toll on Honolulu, Oahu where the island showed a decrease in population from last year. Sign of the times. Well said... if it were just the gas price we would eat that for lunch.. and Omni play a higher price on Maui than we do on Oahu ... it's our real estate .. that the Japanese bubble economy in the 80's and 90's inflated ... it is about the oil though as far as everything here is dependant on matson container ships.. and the strong job market that is well under the national average as far as pay scale... We adjust.. the People of Hawaii are resilient and persevere .. it was just a shock that things seem to hit us overnight.. the red flags were there but they have been before.. So it is not about "gas" and cars .... Hawaii has never kept up with the inflation rate... Tourism is not a total option anymore.. it hasn't been for a long time.. solutions were suggested ...ie. Casinos.. Turtle Bay Resort was designed for Casino gaming,... the whole design of the Hotel was meant for it.. Lotteries were suggested years ago as well as offshore (boats) Gaming But our legislature ... too conservative ... no visions for the future..they say gaming will bring social problems..yet Hawaii sends more players to Vegas per capita than any other State.. and illegal gambling runs rampant .. .. Casinos in Vegas are huge donors to local campaign funds.. see a corallation ?? they sponsor tons of events.. coincidence ?? lots of solutions no action !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted July 12, 2008 Report Share Posted July 12, 2008 Ever thought about people having to travel +50 km to work, probably not. Why live 50+KM from work? These days, there is so much that can be done from home that many people would benefit from home-working. Oh, and the guy that sits opposite me at work cycles about 20-30km to work every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4GTR Posted July 12, 2008 Report Share Posted July 12, 2008 1,5 eu Lt diesel fuel in italy with the lowest salaries of EU zone Automobile migliore!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted July 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2008 Why live 50+KM from work? These days, there is so much that can be done from home that many people would benefit from home-working. Oh, and the guy that sits opposite me at work cycles about 20-30km to work every day. I only wish I could work out of Home.. I would be living on the "North Shore" side of the island.. Punaluu or Kaaawa ... same landscape as 1000 years ago.. when you look to the shorelines and mountains... ahhhhhh.. that has alway's been my fantasy dream... enough food in the ocean.. ocean air..... people who ar in the "Old Style" Hawaii ... I would give up our Minimegalopolis in a heart beat..!! No worries about cars ... gas.... plenty of horses to go up in the mountains.. live off the land... breed.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted July 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2008 this may be interesting... Gannett has multiple vehicles .. including some very large Trucks.. that run on propane...quiet efficient.. so why dosen't all the vehicles follow suit?? more cost effective.. the "Gas Company' stopped converting engines to propane recently.. why could it be that so much of the State taxes are gathered at the pump ?? if the State lost just a small percentage of the pay at the pump taxes it would be devastating !! I suppose it is like this across the country.. no wonder we are stuck on petrol ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fakemaster Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 So how bout dem Yankees? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted July 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 So how bout dem Yankees? Red Sox.. babeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee !!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted July 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 So I read in various periodicals that by the New Year oil will be back down to about 93 dollars a barrel .... of course it would be after the Holiday's when traveling is a must for families and college kids .. by land or air .. what would prompt this drop ?? and how can it be so well choreographed as to be able to see this happening without it being all scripted ?? can our forums expert traders chime in to enlighten me on this phenomenon .. or SOP in our World of Oil prices ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbh Posted July 29, 2008 Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 So I read in various periodicals that by the New Year oil will be back down to about 93 dollars a barrel .... of course it would be after the Holiday's when traveling is a must for families and college kids .. by land or air .. what would prompt this drop ?? and how can it be so well choreographed as to be able to see this happening without it being all scripted ?? can our forums expert traders chime in to enlighten me on this phenomenon .. or SOP in our World of Oil prices ?? The Oil Companies preparing for a Democratic House, Senate, and White House? And the end of the Bush/Cheney Regime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted July 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 The Oil Companies preparing for a Democratic House, Senate, and White House? And the end of the Bush/Cheney Regime. Ok .. other than the obvious that the present Administration have finished Raping and Looting America... what is the propaganda to this question ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbh Posted July 30, 2008 Report Share Posted July 30, 2008 Ok .. other than the obvious that the present Administration have finished Raping and Looting America... what is the propaganda to this question ... Lani, If you're asking me, I didn't ask the question. Just posted a possible answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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