Gas Prices - the REAL way to reduce them!

[scooterbug44]

We produce 35% of our oil domestically. Our biggest source of foreign oil is CANADA! Combined w/ Mexico, it supplies 18.5% of our oil.

All of the Persian Gulf countries COMBINED only supply 11.1% of our oil.

 

[jimmyp5]

OK, taxation is regulation. And tax increases = bad.

So, do we need or want to decrease our use of oil? Or does it even matter?

Do you agree with scooter's initial claim, that "The only real way to make gas prices go down is to reduce how much we use."?

I don't think it'll work, even if we do manage to decrease our own use, because I believe that over the next few years production will decline at the same time that world-wide demand soars.

As for overplaying dependence on Middle Eastern imports, hasn't anyone you know/love/raised been killed in Iraq yet, or don't you think the Middle East is on our radar because of oil?

 

[Smiling JOe]

We produce 35% of our oil domestically. Our biggest source of foreign oil is CANADA! Combined w/ Mexico, it supplies 18.5% of our oil.

All of the Persian Gulf countries COMBINED only supply 11.1% of our oil.

Interesting numbers, but do you mind sharing the source for the additional 35.4% ?

 

[jimmyp5]

We produce 35% of our oil domestically. Our biggest source of foreign oil is CANADA! Combined w/ Mexico, it supplies 18.5% of our oil.

This is tremendous. It means that over half our present usage comes from North American sources, us & two pretty good allies. So if we could cut our usage by half, we wouldn't need to import from the Middle East, Venezuela, Nigeria, etc.

 

[scooterbug44]

Canada 10.5%
Mexico 8.0%
Saudi Arabia 7.4%
Venezuela 7.3%
Nigeria 5.5%
Iraq 2.5%
Algeria 2.3%
Angola 2.2%
Russia 2.0%
United Kingdom 1.9%
Other 15.9%

 

[6thGen]

OK, taxation is regulation. And tax increases = bad.

So, do we need or want to decrease our use of oil? Or does it even matter?

Do you agree with scooter's initial claim, that "The only real way to make gas prices go down is to reduce how much we use."?

I don't think it'll work, even if we do manage to decrease our own use, because I believe that over the next few years production will decline at the same time that world-wide demand soars.

As for overplaying dependence on Middle Eastern imports, hasn't anyone you know/love/raised been killed in Iraq yet, or don't you think the Middle East is on our radar because of oil?

I think the consumption question should be answered by individuals, rather than as a collective. For scooter's claim, that will help, as will technology (which reduces usage) and new discovery. Not sure how much worldwide demand soars, though.

I don't believe that emotion should enter the discussion on imports, but yes, I know that one of the reasons the ME is on our radar is oil.

 

[jimmyp5]

Here's some interesting background on oil reserves, new discoveries, and peak oil .... i.e., supply & demand:

http://http://www.petermaass.com/core.cfm?p=1&mag=124&magtype=1

 

[John R]

while this debate was raging, the price of oil increased due to the saudis reducing their drilling. they feel they have enough summer reserves. we'll be wishing for $3/gal by labor day.

 

[dbuck]

I have an observation. At the same time of year for the last several years gas prices have sky rocketed. This also happens around the Christmas season, and Spring Break for schools. Now, we have the summer vacation season upon us and the prices have gone up. The price of gas will go down as soon as school starts again, mark my word. I don't think I am as stupid as those that raise the prices think I am. Don't you think these gas companies already have enough money? Greed, plain and simple is all that it is. :angry:

Yep, I believe you are correct.

Yeah, those people DESERVE $5 a gallon gas!

I am all for another grass roots effort to change to use of AC back to using it to make a person more comfortable instead of using it to convert spaces to a meat locker![/quote]

Truer words have never been spoken. I am so tired of going into a restaurant, store, movie and freezing to death. I have said many times if the business establishments would just put their thermostat on a comfortable setting no telling how many gallons of oil could be saved.

This thread reminds me of a story my son told me. He had a teacher that said he puts in $20 worth of gas a week in his vehicle and once it's gone his vehicle gets parked. My son asked him, "what do you do if you have to go somewhere," to which he promptly replied, "I take my wife's car."

 

[scooterbug44]

Is there a way for the gov't to force the oil companies to maintain/increase their refining capability instead of just posting record profits?

Teddy Roosevelt stepped in because he was afraid of what a coal strike/the subsequent high prices would do to the country dependant on it for heat and power. Why can't the current gov't act before a hurricane, more Middle East issues make prices worse?