Gas prices, nadir in November. Coincidence?

[DivineBovine]

Anyone else notice that the absolute nadir in gas prices was around the time of the November election? Does that bother anyone else but me?

 

They came down almost $1 a gallon around here in the weeks preceding the election and have risen right back and then some.

 

Just making a simple observation without any further knowledge about the reasons for it. But is it coincidence that the Republicans, who many people blamed for gas prices were on the chopping block? Or that the oil industry obviously wanted the Republicans to stay in power? If this theory is true, isn't it really bothersome that our economy would be manipulated for political gain? Obviously, it didn't work too well, but still. Has anyone else heard this "conspiracy theory" elsewhere?

 

Enjoying my Prius in the land of $3.50 regular.

[Mark_R]

I filled up in DuPage County today @ 3.25 and felt like I got a bargain. What the hell is going on?

[Omar]

Meh. You raise the prices.. The demand will probably remain the same because it's a necessity... and you profit... One of the most basic things about Economics.

[Balsa]

If the Republicans could control it......why would they ever raise it so high in the first place?

 

I call BS.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I still love my Suburban and 32.5 gallon tank.

[DivineBovine]

If the Republicans could control it......why would they ever raise it so high in the first place?

 

I call BS.

 

 

The question isn't why the prices are so high. The question is why they mysteriously came down almost $1 per gallon, right around the November election.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

If the Republicans could control it......why would they ever raise it so high in the first place?

 

I call BS.

 

Because they want their supporters to make money?

[texascub]

I still love my Suburban and 32.5 gallon tank.

 

No suburban, but I doubt I'll ever get rid of my truck. Cars are just too small in useless.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I still love my Suburban and 32.5 gallon tank.

 

No suburban, but I doubt I'll ever get rid of my truck. Cars are just too small in useless.

 

I got a "truck" too, but it's a Colorado with the inline 5 and a tiny 19 gallon tank.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I filled up in DuPage County today @ 3.25 and felt like I got a bargain. What the hell is going on?

 

$3.25? I envy you.

[sunnydoo]

There are a bunch of reasons for it, and a bunch of people to blame:

 

China- is single handedly driving up crude oil costs with a huge jump in demand over the last decade.

 

Terrorism- crude oil costs are higher because of more security needed and with the threat of interuption.

 

Nigeria- along the lines of terrorism, Nigeria is just a disaster right now. One of the largest oil producing states in Africa, capacity has been greatly reduced by terrorism and infrastructure collapse. Boy Blunder hasnt realized yet that the War on Terrorism isnt confined to the Middle East and that we are losing on the most important front right now, Africa. Islamic fundamentalists are pressuring just about every single country in Central and Northern Africa at the moment.

 

Venezuela- Hugo Chavez is seriously starting to freak out some people you dont want to freak out. But on the flip side, the oil produced in Venezuela is usually a different type found than the other places in the world. It is a higher grade and is usually used for other petroleum purposes.

 

Republicans- Will not help out with legislation on gas companies or auto manufacturers.

 

Democrats- Will not help out on getting more refineries built in the US. (Now some folks who scream about the Wildlife Refuge dont realize that the type of oil produced in Alaska is largely incompatible with the refinery system we have in the US set up for gasoline. Its very different than say the stuff we get out of the Gulf Coast on average. I am always amazed at the "oil guy", who is always screaming about this. He should know better than anyone. Just more of his same schtik of taking advantage of anyone that is silly enough to believe him. Did we really elect this boob?)

 

All that said, my money is on the oil companies themselves. Although it upsets me about them not building refineries (keeping the supply artificially lower than the market, hence raising the price) and purposely lying to ignorant folk that know nothing about balance sheet pricing (they build the profits by hiding the costs in processing, ie they get the oil and then process it themselves building in a nice profit hiding it in affiliates.), what upsets me is that we subsidize these bozos for development and they are quick to respond when crude oil goes up, but somewhat slower when it goes down- taking an extra % for themselves, no doubt.

 

That and the oil companies went to the wall with FASB a few years ago and really really made out like bandits. That mess helped cause all the mess that happened around 2k with the funny accounting going on. Hopefully SOX will straighten that out, although i am sure the oil companies have already figured out the new system and how to beat it.

[soccer10k]

All I know is that if/when I decide to get a new car, I am going to seriously consider a hybrid.

[Banedon]

Gas in town here is $2.90.

[Soul]

If the Republicans could control it......why would they ever raise it so high in the first place?

 

I call BS.

 

 

The question isn't why the prices are so high. The question is why they mysteriously came down almost $1 per gallon, right around the November election.

 

I cry foul on Big Oil alot, but what "mystery" are you referring to? Gas prices usually fall as winter approaches. I see nothing out of the ordinary here.

[jersey cubs fan]

This stupid freaking topic again?

 

Gas prices rise going into the summer, every summer, and especially last summer, when people were freaking about a hurricane season that never happened. Gas prices fall every fall, and especially last fall, when the bottom dropped on oil prices after the much predicted hurricane season never happened.

 

My lord.

[ConstableRabbit]

Hahahaha take an economics course

[Banedon]

Hahahaha take an economics course

 

Eco-what? The whole environment thing has it's own thread dude. :wink:

[ConstableRabbit]

Hahahaha take an economics course

 

Eco-what? The whole environment thing has it's own thread dude. :wink:

 

LMAO that'd be such a tree-hugger response to what "economics" is

[J.R.]

I still love my Suburban and 32.5 gallon tank.

 

Amen ... all I ask for are bigger cars, bigger engines and bigger gas tanks.

[TruffleShuffle]

I still love my Suburban and 32.5 gallon tank.

 

Amen ... all I ask for are bigger cars, bigger engines and bigger gas tanks.

 

had to be done:

 

http://media.arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.media/canyonero.jpg

[CubinNY]

Can you name the truck with four wheel drive,

smells like a steak and seats thirty-five..

 

Canyonero! Canyonero!

 

Well, it goes real slow with the hammer down,

It's the country-fried truck endorsed by a clown!

 

Canyonero! (Yah!) Canyonero!

[Krusty:] Hey Hey

 

The Federal Highway comission has ruled the

Canyonero unsafe for highway or city driving.

 

Canyonero!

 

12 yards long, 2 lanes wide,

65 tons of American Pride!

 

Canyonero! Canyonero!

 

Top of the line in utility sports,

Unexplained fires are a matter for the courts!

 

Canyonero! Canyonero! (Yah!)

 

She blinds everybody with her super high beams,

She's a squirrel crushing, deer smacking, driving machine!

 

Canyonero!-oh woah, Canyonero! (Yah!)

 

Drive Canyonero!

 

Woah Canyonero!

 

Woah!

[jersey cubs fan]

My favorite part:

 

12 yards long, 2 lanes wide,

65 tons of American Pride!

[texascub]

I still love my Suburban and 32.5 gallon tank.

 

No suburban, but I doubt I'll ever get rid of my truck. Cars are just too small in useless.

 

I got a "truck" too, but it's a Colorado with the inline 5 and a tiny 19 gallon tank.

 

I've got a 1985 Silverado and it's still got the saddle bag tanks. It runs pretty good still, but I've been driving my dad's F150 lately because I'm trying to restore my truck.

[J.R.]

I've got a 1985 Silverado and it's still got the saddle bag tanks. It runs pretty good still, but I've been driving my dad's F150 lately because I'm trying to restore my truck.

 

4x4? LWB/SWB? Engine?

 

I love the '73-'87 models.

[texascub]

I've got a 1985 Silverado and it's still got the saddle bag tanks. It runs pretty good still, but I've been driving my dad's F150 lately because I'm trying to restore my truck.

 

4x4? LWB/SWB? Engine?

 

I love the '73-'87 models.

 

4x2 Short bed with a 305 (not original).