Fuel Prices

Isn’t it nice to see the prices at the pump going down? Unfortunately, now is the time the fuel companies are taking advantage of us the most.

Why is it that when the barrel prices to go up, our prices go up immediately? They will tell you that they have to adjust the prices according to what they are paying at the time. That means they get a higher profit margin for the fuel that they currently have inventoried, and will still make their regular profit once the new inventory arrives.

Why is it that when the barrel prices drop, it’s a long, slow process to bring the prices back down? Then they will tell you it’s based on what they paid for their current inventory. A few months ago, when the barrel was about $108, we were paying $4.20 at the pump. Today, the barrel was $84. If you do a little 5th grade math, you will find that, based on what we were charged when the barrel was high, we should be paying $3.27 at the pump. Why are they charging $.60 more per gallon? I believe the answer is simple: Because they can.

Lately, we watch the prices drop a little every couple days and it makes us feel good. But this is the time when these companies are taking advantage of us the most, and this happens across the whole nation and probably the world.

We’ve all gotten those emails that try to get everyone to not buy gas on a specific day, but I don’t see how that could work. All we would do is buy more the day before and the day after, we still need the gas. We certainly don’t need the government getting involved with regulations. All that would end up doing is causing the prices to go up even more.

Here’s my idea: This would have to be planned, like an event, but would be promoted through the social networks. Instead of boycotting gas on a specific day, boycott a company for a specified amount of time. Whoever organizes this keeps that companies name unknown until just before the event starts, making all the companies nervous. Leave them a way out, if the prices drop to a reasonable level, just the threat will have been enough to set them straight. If not, then follow through and boycott a company for a day or two, or until they set their prices to a reasonable level. And once they do, then, through the same channels, promote that company and reward them by telling everyone to buy from them until their competition comes in line with them.

This would certainly send a message to the oil companies that their high paid lawyers wouldn’t have any control over and there would be no need for any government involvement or cost to the American taxpayer. I think this could even be considered bi-partisan.