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Politicans talk about fighting high gas prices, but fumble opportunities

GasBuddy Blog -- Hurricane Sandy, West Coast refinery problems, scattered refinery fires and outages- all of these events this year alone have caused gasoline supply issues or spikes in prices. But while politicians talk often and open many spineless investigations, they fumble real opportunities to make a difference to quell these situations- they talk the talk, but they don't walk the walk.

The largest gasoline price spike in California history took place to start October, when average prices rose nearly 50-cents per gallon in just five days. GasBuddy first warned motorists and the public via a blog post October 2, when prices were averaging $4.22/gal. They then rose to $4.62 within 72 hours of that warning. Meanwhile, California Governor Jerry...

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Submitted Nov 14, 2012 By: PD

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paulweb All-Star Author Ohio Posts:902 Points:379,100 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Dec 6, 2012 11:37:28 AM Ignore paulweb Report Abuse And why are we not surprised???
Snowchoux Champion Author Missouri Posts:1,003 Points:145,635 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Dec 6, 2012 11:34:24 AM Ignore Snowchoux Report Abuse Just Grin and Bare-it.
russ117044 Rookie Author Long Island Posts:3 Points:2,510 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 11:20:55 AM Ignore russ117044 Report Abuse All Politicians are greedy, selfish. Even the one who aren't, are. All Politicians drop to their knees and service wall st. Similarly, wall st owns big oil. Both Democrats and Republicans are equally worthless... But HEY! Its black Friday! Lets go shopping!
jethro5000 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:2,008 Points:416,985 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 10:46:44 AM Ignore jethro5000 Report Abuse Politicians only worry about themselves...
99dakota Champion Author Providence Posts:8,245 Points:2,198,450 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 9:49:37 AM Ignore 99dakota Report Abuse Consumer prices are generally outside the power of politicians to change.
SuziLew All-Star Author California Posts:537 Points:171,720 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Nov 19, 2012 6:10:15 PM Ignore SuziLew Report Abuse Politicians main concern is to protect their jobs, which means very few stick their necks out to change the status quo.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,811 Points:1,635,270 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2012 7:24:47 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse delta, PD's posts are never news, they're always op-eds.
Delta258 Sophomore Author Fresno Posts:106 Points:21,110 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Nov 17, 2012 1:57:54 AM Ignore Delta258 Report Abuse old news.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,811 Points:1,635,270 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 17, 2012 12:29:28 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse we wouldn't have this issue if Pig Oil would fork over enough money to make things work and keep working, rather than let refineries run into the ground.
Gas4Gore Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,519 Points:443,250 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Nov 16, 2012 8:42:52 PM Ignore Gas4Gore Report Abuse As always.
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,167 Points:306,735 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 16, 2012 11:07:19 AM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse ok
oilfreak All-Star Author Houston Posts:707 Points:38,185 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Nov 16, 2012 8:55:11 AM Ignore oilfreak Report Abuse Just more boring talk from politicians.
drpepperTX Champion Author Texas Posts:9,151 Points:777,900 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 10:40:17 PM Ignore drpepperTX Report Abuse The gnu remains hopped up on HOPIUM Alaydown, facts remain beyond of his realm of comprehension. My only use of the ignore feature has been very judicious on the gnu.
benjy Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,703 Points:1,813,385 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 10:19:49 PM Ignore benjy Report Abuse the election is over, all they will do is talk now....
Pete12 Champion Author Albany Posts:4,915 Points:1,658,945 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 9:37:18 PM Ignore Pete12 Report Abuse Get rid of the speculators!
gravityhurts Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,224 Points:963,255 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 7:12:34 PM Ignore gravityhurts Report Abuse Still just talking
Alaydown Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,244 Points:845,865 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 6:47:13 PM Ignore Alaydown Report Abuse Sadly Gnusman53, I posted all facts. If you have a specific point that refutes what I posted, then let's see it. It is amusing that your handle "Gnusman" is like newsman -- which is typical of the left wing media.
Gnusman53 Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,183 Points:1,138,070 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 3:37:07 PM Ignore Gnusman53 Report Abuse Maybe its all that tainted kool-aid alaydown & pals have been spreading around...
Gnusman53 Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,183 Points:1,138,070 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 3:35:34 PM Ignore Gnusman53 Report Abuse Seems the fact-free are grazing around here alot lately... (grin).... too bad they can leave fantasyland...
Gnusman53 Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,183 Points:1,138,070 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 3:32:32 PM Ignore Gnusman53 Report Abuse Sadly... alaydown's posts continue to be a laugh riot.....
Gnusman53 Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,183 Points:1,138,070 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 3:30:39 PM Ignore Gnusman53 Report Abuse Looks like "Che" Listerone is off his meds --- again... (grin)
Cheepo Champion Author Tampa Posts:9,984 Points:3,146,930 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 2:39:13 PM Ignore Cheepo Report Abuse Talk, talk, talk!!! Talk to barrack huseein and drill baby drill!!!!!!!!!!
CapriceWagon Champion Author Washington Posts:1,004 Points:501,795 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 1:33:22 PM Ignore CapriceWagon Report Abuse California is a good example of how not to do things.
Rhino8of8 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:1,336 Points:398,565 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 12:32:12 PM Ignore Rhino8of8 Report Abuse I had two different thoughts while reading this. First was a bit of 'tooting my own horn'... with the slightly subtle "I told you so's". But, looking past the writing style, there is a good chunk of truth in it. The issue is that a blog (in my mind) is not the same as a "press release". Someone said it below - do you think democrats in Cali READ this blog? But, if it went to something like AP - then it gets a bit more widespread. Posting to a blog of people already in the know - I just don't know if it has the same impact. Maybe I'm not as tech-savvy about blogs. But then again, how many politicians are the same way?
bluebird1 Champion Author Toronto Posts:15,863 Points:3,132,900 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 12:17:59 PM Ignore bluebird1 Report Abuse Headline says it all....first they need to regulate (again) the commodity mkts but that has to be worldwide or restrictions on foreign trading + NA restrictions.
CostEngineer Veteran Author Sacramento Posts:255 Points:162,005 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 12:05:17 PM Ignore CostEngineer Report Abuse Not surprising
Alaydown Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,244 Points:845,865 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:43:42 AM Ignore Alaydown Report Abuse Is PD serious??? Does he really think that the DemocRAT politicians in California read his blog? That is laughable! California's statewide gasoline taxes and fees total 50.5 cents per gallon, the second highest in the nation, just behind New York (51.3 cents per gallon). When the federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon is added, Californians pay 68.9 cents in taxes for every gallon of gas they purchase. That means for 15 gallons of gasoline on a fill-up, we pay more than $10 in taxes. Additionally, California's general sales tax and various local sales taxes are levied on the sale of gasoline — and the sales tax is calculated after the state and federal excise taxes are added to the price, so motorists pay a tax on a tax. California has the highest statewide sales tax rate in the country. We have the third-worst state business tax climate in the nation. California has the second-highest rate of personal income tax. Clearly connected to the tax rates here, the state also has the 3rd highest unemployment rate in the country at 10.2 percent, which is underestimated because of the number of those who supposedly left the work force because they gave up looking for work. The liberal politicians in this state don't care about the people here. If the DemocRATs who control the government of California cared about gasoline prices, they would not have passed AB32 which limits greenhouse gas emissions, and they would allow gasoline from other states to compete with gasoline refined in this state.
Lologogo Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,375 Points:368,390 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:37:58 AM Ignore Lologogo Report Abuse ok
RUNNINONEMPTYFL Champion Author Florida Posts:1,408 Points:461,800 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:31:27 AM Ignore RUNNINONEMPTYFL Report Abuse Here we go again...
Settjec Champion Author Little Rock Posts:2,110 Points:710,495 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:21:50 AM Ignore Settjec Report Abuse I have stated on here many times before, OBUMMER is behind the price hikes.
spotterFL Champion Author Florida Posts:4,256 Points:545,265 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:20:45 AM Ignore spotterFL Report Abuse Just build geothermal power plants and convert autos to all-electric with 400-mile extension cords and the problem will be solved. /;<[@)
bridgerunner Champion Author Virginia Posts:4,917 Points:1,032,585 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:18:18 AM Ignore bridgerunner Report Abuse A little less government intervention.
99church Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,952 Points:387,790 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:17:25 AM Ignore 99church Report Abuse Less talk more action
9C1 Champion Author Chicago Posts:22,984 Points:4,272,110 Joined:Jul 2001	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:15:57 AM Ignore 9C1 Report Abuse All the problems cited in the article deal with refinery or distribution issues. They have nothing to do with the supply of crude, domestic or foreign. There is plenty of domestic crude. The issues are in refinery capacity (NIMBY) and distribution - stations without back-up power. [Edited by: 9C1 at 11/15/2012 11:17:22 AM EST]
gafgar Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,128 Points:342,515 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:14:06 AM Ignore gafgar Report Abuse talking is what they do best
MalibuGordie Champion Author California Posts:5,572 Points:1,441,715 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:14:00 AM Ignore MalibuGordie Report Abuse How can you tell if a polititian is lying? His mouth is moving!
Black Wagon Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,442 Points:1,827,770 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:12:59 AM Ignore Black Wagon Report Abuse Well if they were re-elected you know they aren't going to do anything.
lindact Champion Author New Haven Posts:8,866 Points:1,742,720 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:12:17 AM Ignore lindact Report Abuse It's just that - Talk...
buzzieNY Champion Author Buffalo Posts:3,020 Points:661,080 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:12:03 AM Ignore buzzieNY Report Abuse Politicians won't do anything about gas prices because Oil companies will stop their kickback money for re-election campaigns..
mrservonics Champion Author Boston Posts:2,859 Points:1,379,155 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:11:47 AM Ignore mrservonics Report Abuse More tax please, supersize that! NOW fix the roads?
ZeroBoxes Champion Author Mississippi Posts:1,079 Points:213,440 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:11:35 AM Ignore ZeroBoxes Report Abuse A person chooses to be a part of the problem and whine or they STAND UP and DO something to mitigate to problem. This is still ONE nation OF the people; that is you, and you, and you, and you, and me. Lead, follow, or get out of the way.
DABEE1073 Champion Author San Diego Posts:8,345 Points:1,598,835 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:11:34 AM Ignore DABEE1073 Report Abuse TALK IS CHEAP, IT TAKES MONEY TO BUY WHISKEY .
robb88 Veteran Author Atlanta Posts:363 Points:66,915 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:11:23 AM Ignore robb88 Report Abuse i have a slight different opinion with the author of the article. I think the local and state officials are doing very well in response to the high gas prices and gas demands on both the East and West coast. When Gov. Christie in NJ said he'd start implementing EVEN-ODD gas rationing, that took a bold step that other governors don't want't to follow, but fortunately the NY gov. followed through as well. I'm proud of those guys to make those decisions. And for the gov of California to respond to the gas prices as he did was the best he could do. Unfortunately, Cali has shot themselves in the foot because of their combinations of stricter than avg gas requirements and shortening in supplies due to the supply stations burning down. There's only so much local and state level officials can do, and I think they've been doing a good job. It's the Federal officials we should complain about, and hold accountable. They should pay.
eaglev Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:4,001 Points:937,155 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:10:44 AM Ignore eaglev Report Abuse Open up public land again, drill off the coast, build new refineries, and new nuclear plants and in 6 years we will be energy independent.
AriesMMD Champion Author Sacramento Posts:1,566 Points:435,490 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:10:10 AM Ignore AriesMMD Report Abuse Politicians from both the major parties take "contributions" from oil companies. Why would they do anything that might endanger their "golden goose"?
ssnvet All-Star Author California Posts:695 Points:71,235 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:08:53 AM Ignore ssnvet Report Abuse State legislators have the power to determine what happens in their state - look at California, do you actually believe the oil companies legislated the laws that caused the high prices? Are you that uninformed?
Rick01 Champion Author Utah Posts:9,148 Points:2,387,275 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:07:54 AM Ignore Rick01 Report Abuse Get control of Wall Street again and then it will go down.
badbonita Champion Author Syracuse Posts:6,356 Points:1,379,460 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:07:31 AM Ignore badbonita Report Abuse So what do they want now? The elections are over for at least a few weeks. I'm so happy to be able to watch Tv without the 40 polical ads per hour - or so it seemed. Now it's Black Friday ads.
us30ride Champion Author Fort Wayne Posts:3,460 Points:738,385 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:04:56 AM Ignore us30ride Report Abuse They don't care, they need the contributions.
dan30thz28 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:6,044 Points:2,007,765 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Nov 15, 2012 11:04:48 AM Ignore dan30thz28 Report Abuse Big oil and big banks run the country, not our government...simple as that.