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Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Americans Getting Smarter On Gas Prices: Fewer Are Blaming “Big Oil,” More Favor Domestic Drilling

Americans may be apathetic at times, and distracted, when it comes to public policy.  But they’re not stupid, and there’s only so long they’re going to believe nonsense about high gas prices being the result of evil, greedy oil executives.

Even as the price of oil nearly doubled over the last year, the percentage of Americans pointing the finger of blame at oil companies fell, from 37% a year ago to 20%.

And 57% favor drilling in areas of the US that are currrently off limits.

Other factors measured, a drop in the percentage of Americans blaming high gas prices on the Iraq war, and single digit percentages blaming speculators (6%) and a weaker US dollar (4%). Those pointing to economic forces and supply vs. demand up from 10% to 15%.

Fact: America’s economy runs on oil right now, for better or worse.

Fact: Without some major technological breakthroughs the previous fact isn’t going to change any time soon.

Fact: Unless we start exploring for and/or utilizing our domestic reserves of oil we’re going to continue to be dependent on oil from places like Venezuela and the middle east, something that essentially provides funding for factions in those parts of the world that hate us.

The solution to the oil problem is not higher taxes. The solution is less government involvement in the oil industry.

Comments

This is an issue that could save the Republican party this year.  Too bad our nominee’s got his head buried you know where.


What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.


The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on June 10, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Avatar for Kat

Try checking out the Drive $marter Challenge (http://www.drivesmarterchallenge.org).  You can enter your specific vehicle data and figure out how much money you can save my taking six fuel-efficiency steps.  They also provide other fuel-efficiency tips to help you save on gas costs.

Kat on June 10, 2008 at 01:02 pm
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I need to go start writing to some Senators & Representatives, they need to go do a press conference with the President and leading republicans (Thune, Bachmann(MN), Boehner, Kline, etc.) and hold it in STANLEY ND the middle of the Bakken Oil Patch and call for drilling in the shale of Colorado, ANWR, and every other domestic location.  Interview locals and tell them how much the activity does for the local economy etc.

My only problem with this scenario, ND has its own oil and its own refinery, and VERY HIGH gas prices.  Any solutions??

patriot on June 10, 2008 at 03:32 pm

Newt keeps repeating that by a 79% to 18% margin Americans want Congress to take action to reduce gas prices versus address global warming.  So, what has congress done?  Blocked drilling, blocked oil shale (purely partisan move by Landreau I might add!), attempted to raise oil company taxes, and tried to cap and trade us out of existence.
DKK

LifeTrek on June 10, 2008 at 05:35 pm

Newt keeps repeating that by a 79% to 18% margin Americans want Congress to take action to reduce gas prices versus address global warming.

While I think that’s true, I have to wonder why Newt was seen sitting on a couch with Nancy Pants doing commercials for Algore.

$4.00 gas (or more) is the logical result of the Dem/green agenda.  W


What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.


The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on June 10, 2008 at 05:40 pm

Fact: Without some major technological breakthroughs the previous fact isn’t going to change any time soon.

How are we going to make those breakthroughs with cheap gas prices? It will be put off to everyone’s eventual detriment.


rasberry

Sparkie Arbuckle on June 10, 2008 at 05:49 pm

Bullshit, when it’s ready to go the market will accept it.  Until then we’re better off with conventional energy sources.


What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.


The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on June 10, 2008 at 05:57 pm

My only problem with this scenario, ND has its own oil and its own refinery, and VERY HIGH gas prices.  Any solutions??

It’s a worldwide market.


What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.


The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on June 10, 2008 at 05:57 pm
Avatar for RebTex

I know most view Southerners as simple, but hear me out.....
If you graph gas prices by date, you will see that the pump prices didn’t start getting out of hand until the democrats took over Congress.
As I was watching the news this morning, a prominent democrat was crowing about the sudden decrease of miles driven by Americans & how the high prices will force folks to buy hybrid vehicles & bio-fuels.....a technology the dems have invested heavily in....
Now, don’t spill your snuff!
I’m not sayin’ it’s a conspiracy.
I’m just saying it’s highly convenient that the instant they got control,my fuel prices went through the roof....

RebTex on June 10, 2008 at 06:56 pm

While I think that’s true, I have to wonder why Newt was seen sitting on a couch with Nancy Pants doing commercials for Algore.

I never said he wasn’t a politician who goes with the wind.  But he does have a list of policies that are poll winners—kinda like the Contract.
DKK

LifeTrek on June 10, 2008 at 08:19 pm
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Proof
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While I think that’s true, I have to wonder why Newt was seen sitting on a couch with Nancy Pants doing commercials for Algore.

At least the lights were on and they weren’t making out!
I shudder to think what Bill ”One Free Grope” Clinton might have done! Heh.



For any voter trying to choose between the two candidates for commander in chief, there is no better test than this: When American strategy in a critical theater was up for grabs, John McCain proposed a highly unpopular and risky path, which he accurately predicted could lead to success. Barack Obama proposed a popular and politically safe route that would have led to an unnecessary and debilitating American defeat at the hands of al Qaeda.

Frederick W. Kagan

Proof on June 10, 2008 at 08:31 pm

Funny. We had all these reserves and wells in place all the time. But nobody made any effort to get that oil until the price of crude made a lot of people rich.

watashiwa on June 12, 2008 at 11:24 am

Economics is not funny W.


What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.


The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on June 12, 2008 at 11:25 am

Economics is not funny W.

Apparently it is to those who don’t know the first thing about it!


“Poverty of goods is easily cured; poverty of the mind is irreparable.”

Bat One on June 12, 2008 at 11:42 am

w,

If what you say is correct… and it is not… how do you explain the drop in US domestic crude oil production?


“Poverty of goods is easily cured; poverty of the mind is irreparable.”

Bat One on June 12, 2008 at 11:50 am

watashiwa get back to work. smile


Check out:
Goon’s North Dakota Red Neck
Goon’s World

goon on June 12, 2008 at 11:50 am

w,
If what you say is correct… and it is not… how do you explain the drop in US domestic crude oil production?

That is because his party is holding up drilling in the ANWAR and building new refinaries.


Check out:
Goon’s North Dakota Red Neck
Goon’s World

goon on June 12, 2008 at 11:54 am
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