You're wrong. I don't have a problem paying 4.00 a gallon for myself. That is only a bout $2000 a year more for me and not a problem. I am concerned when a company is making $46 billion and putting airlines, plastics companies, auto manufacturors on and on, out of business. Even chain retaurants. Something is out of balance, that is all I'm saying.

 

I don't know about all small business' But this is quite painfull for this area. i just hope we can all hang on untill this spiraling inflation takes a break.
I don't like having to worry about paying the bills. Tight times come and go , but this is an epic problem. I watched my parrents go thru it in the seventies and I'm going thru it now.
You can think you're investing wisely, but in the end conditions like this take no prisoners.

 

As mentioned though, when oil company's had low profits and were generally not doing well where were we then, making threads and discussing how to help them? Gas was cheap, oil was cheap, many engineers were about to be cut and America was happy. Now the shoe is on the other foot and America is pissed off.

Shell, Exxon/Mobil, Chevron and the others are doing the same thing they have been doing. The cost of the final product is based on the cost of the material. Material goes up, profit margin remains the same but profits increase. This is basic economics and in no way is the gas company ripping anyone off.

 

That's the nature of the beast. Oil is a very volatile commodity, literally and figuratively.

 

I don't recall oil companies ever being in major financial trouble. I do know they are turning this country upside down right now. I worked for an oil company in the 1970s, and they were VERY profitable then. They had a down turn in the late 80s due to foreign oil, so they partnered up with them. There was a shake out at that time. Other than that, when were they not profitable? They should be profitable now, that is not my complaint. I just believe they are controlling prices and gouging at the expense of the rest of the world.

 

Are you getting the same add on the left that I am getting? Vote for who is causing the $400 gas?

 

Yea


I didn't ever say the big oil/gas company's were loosing money, just that the net profits where nothing like what they are today.

I am trying to locate gross profits for the years 1975-current, but I am not having any luck.

I personally believe Morgan Stanley is more responsible for the increase in gas than Exxon/Mobil is. The cost of the crude is going to reflect the cost at the pump.

I see your point, when the economy is in rough shape its easy to point at the guy making huge amounts of cash and think something is not right. I am a firm believer in economic cycles and I know, with time, everything will balance out once again.

Truth is my income is about half of what it was last year thanks to the current economic state and the type of job I have. While I am in no way related to oil/gas I do sell upper end products not a single person has to have. When you sell want products rather than need products you learn very quickly when people are cutting back on extra expenditures.