Thinking back from the future

[Madisons]

After reading several posts on topics relating to the future of RVing and the prices of fuel as anticipated this year, some already higher in some areas, with most respondents modifying their travel plans and or negating them entirely, I thought back to the 70s and the fuel "shortages" and lines and rationing at the pumps.
I lived and worked in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in those days. We had to be very careful about letting the fuel gage going too low for fear of not finding any fuel at all then. Lines at the gas stations and several with $5.00 limit per customer.
Then one day a local(Miami) TV station sent their helicopter over the fuel tanks at the Port Everglades fuel storage area.(most of the major oil companies had fuel tanks there) Lo and behold the floating covers on almost all of the gas tanks were at the tops of the tanks. "Fuel shortage"?
It was not long after this expose' that fuel, almost miraculously, became available in the FT. Lauderdale area.
What got me thinking about this charade so many years ago was the notion that, on top of all else, they(you know who) could pull this one again. High prices manipulated with a fuel shortage. WHOWEE!!
In closing my thought is: If it happened before it could again. What say you fellow RVers?

Best...the Madisons

[GaryKD]

Hi Madisons,
There is no fuel shortage. The entire supply chain is full of product. Storage tanks, tankers out in the ocean, pipelines and gas station tanks. The price problem is due to Wall Street speculators.

[dajudge]

I say we hang the speculators to get Washington's attention. Then they might control these pirates who are screwing us all with high gas prices.

[JimM68]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dajudge I say we hang the speculators to get Washington's attention. Then they might control these pirates who are screwing us all with high gas prices.

I'd agree... except leaving people alone to do their business is a big part of right aisle rebublican belief. Not too right of course, but right none the less.

Yes, lots of people make a bunch of money buying and selling stuff they never feel see or smell. They contribute noithing to the process of getting goods to market, yet they profit tremendously. Still it's the American way, comodities trading ain't going anywhere anytime soon.

[blackf3504dr]

Speculators are just part of high fuel prices. You must remember it's a world economy today and we are just a part of it. Developing countries like China and India are using large quantities of fuel not like the "old days" when we were the biggest consumer and we drove the price by our use or lack of use. The fact the we as a nation have no energy policy 40 years after the (so called) fuel shortage of the early 70s speaks volumes ... Also, OPEC is not our friend ! When fuel drops back to $3.00 a gal. all will be well until the next crisis .
The American people by and large have short memories....

[Madisons]

I was alluding to the fact that fuel, prices and supply, is entirely beyond we consumers' control. In other words no matter what the circumstances we lose. There is no public entity responsible to the consumer for price and or availability. Conversely, how can there be so much regulatory action on most other consumer items? Federal and state agencies up the gigoo mandate other commodities, why not fuel?? Where is 'OUR' representation, input, and control on a commodity that affects lives and livelihoods as much as energy from oil? Just asking.

Madisons

[GPW]

As long as you have our so called representatives that are more influenced by lobbyists for big business rather than the "people" .. Then it will be/remain a government for the Rich ...

[Madisons]

I would hope that not many of us are buying into this "class rhetoric" promulgated by the folks responsible for our plight.
Definition of "Rich": those who have or perceptibly may have more than you whether they earned it or not, cannot possibly deserve it.

Madisons

[jodann]

Hanging speculators in America will do nothing to the price of oil as oil speculation goes on worldwide.

[Dixieray53]

http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/p...df/figure2.pdf

Link to gas inventories.....There is gas out there. It is a traded commodity. Just like pork bellies. Problem is you do not have to have real money to play. You just have to have a big enough credit account. There are plenty of blogs out there stating one thing the government could do is make players have a bigger real money stake, I doubt that will ever happen. Peace...D

[Dixieray53]

Gas Price Historical Price Charts - GasBuddy.com

Here is another interesting chart. D

[Madisons]

Dixieray53,
Thanks for the look at gas prices and inventory, very interesting.
Seems, to me at least, that the way to stop the consumer uproar over prices would be to "limit" supplies thereby making us all so grateful for what fuel we could find and at 'any' price we could (willingly or not) pay.

Best...Madisons

[ctpres]

The average Chinese family is saving to buy a CAR! Guess where gas will go when they do get one.

[Superslif]

Above $5 a gallon and we will enter yet another recession. Yes, we will cut back...No more going out to eat every Saturday, maybe once a month. No new video games for the kid, fix the the old bike, instead of buying a new one. Will not buy any annuals for the flower beds this summer, Instead have sowed some from seeds. Lucky to live only a few miles from work....