Readers sound off on oil, gas prices

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The Answer Desk

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We keep hearing that the cause of rising gas prices is lack of supply to meet demand. Yet month after month, we also hear that the oil companies are making record profits...up to 600% over last year at this time. It's hard to believe that the only reason prices are going up, up, UP is due to supply, when the oil companies and their execs (can you say George Bush and company) get rich, rich, RICH. Why isn't something being done about this?
Stephanie -- Michigan

Our government is subsidizing the price of fuel oil in Iraq and other middle east countries. It cost pennies per gallon there. It's time our gov't takes care of US Citizens here and stops worrying about other nations and Aliens (residents or non-resident) here.
D. P. – Queensbury, N.Y.

…. How can you actually, with a straight face, tell someone that gasoline prices are even remotely related to the price of crude? Prices go up in response to usage and refineries having to produce more gasoline. That's the opposite of what actually happens and you know it. Why don't you call it like it is. It's profit taking, or price gouging or what ever anyone chooses to call it. I don't mind nearly so much being fleeced as long as I'm told the truth.
Larry H.

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Keep talking, maybe you will make the American people who read your spin believe that the oil companies are losing money. You say we should drill for more oil. Why? Our oil wells are capped. The whole idea is to use the Saudi oil and everyone elses before the U.S. taps into its own. As for high prices indicating we need to drill for more oil, balderdash! The oil captains are foaming at the mouth to get at the Arctic National Reserve. There is enough oil. The problem is the U. S. over-consumption. In cities such as Houston, Texas, suburbs are spread out farther and farther with no public transportation to accommodate the populace. The result is more traffic. More traffic, more fuel consumption. Don't worry so much about the American oil companies, they'll manage somehow.
Catherine -- Groveton, Tex.

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I don't buy supply/demand inequality as the major contributor to the enormous upward drive in oil prices, the price spiked too fast. Supply/demand imbalances in a market like this move much more slowly. I'm not a black helicopter guy but something else is going on and I believe the price is manipulated. The question I have is by whom?
          Don L. -- Newburyport, Mass.

Why doesn't our government step in, increase taxes on gasoline so that people with low fuel efficiency vehicles pay the price for their greed and those of us with vehicles that are conserving fuel (I drive a 2002 Prius that gets 50+ mpg) will still have it in the future.
          John N. -- Lynn Haven, Fla.

... The Saudis and Iran will never interrupt their flow of CASH and it has nothing to do with supply and demand. If every American drove a hybrid car that got 100 miles per gallon, the price of a gallon of gas would go up to $75.00 a gallon. The Saudis and Iran do not play by the rules of supply and demand they play by the rule of incoming CASH. This is why we need to develop other sources of energy other than oil. What do the Saudis and Iran have besides oil, sand and terrorists? Zero.
Michael C. -- Murphysboro, Ill.

I don't care what anybody says we are basically in control of the 2nd largest oil producing country in the world, Iraq, our soldiers are dying for their freedom, and we can't get cheaper oil???
Gilbert G. -- Encino, Calif.

Are we going to run completely out of our non renewable resources, such as oil , before we develop replacements such as hydrogen? I think it probable that the powers that be will never allow a major alternative to oil. Just ask the guy who invented a means of operating his personal car off of common household garbage (something like 20 to 30 years ago) he's either super rich and on his own island somewhere or his bones are at the bottom of the pacific.
John B. -- The Rock, Ga.

I see a glaring omission on your part on the oil prices and drilling in the ANWR controversy. You deliberately chose not to address each person's responsibility to reduce our gasoline consumption. America is a shameful example to the rest of the world when we are the biggest consumers per capita over all countries in all categories. As an American, I see this as unconscionable.
Celeste M. -- Carlsbad, N.M.

It is time for the consumer, especially in the U.S., to realize we are in control of our dependency on oil and gasoline. When shopping for automobiles, the buyer needs to pay particular attention to the fuel efficiency of the prospective vehicle. How much are we willing and able to pay per mile for the privilege of driving? If gasoline was $5.00 per gal., would we be more inclined to pay attention to the MPG sticker? Attention American consumer: do not depend on others to fix the price of fuel for you - it is not within their control for any long term correction. It is your turn to change.
Bob C.

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