If there is one thing that is ripping off America these days, it is the price of gasoline. As many people know, the price of gas has increased slightly over the past couple years, but in the past year alone, it has jumped to all time highs. This past Friday, I went to fill up The Silver Accord and a full tank of gas cost a pricey $41 at over three dollars a gallon. This is a far outcry to what most people pay, as I drive a fairly economical car that gets great gas mileage. After getting my full tank of gas, I thought while I drove on the road about what the future of gas prices will bring. Since filling up with gas, Memorial Day weekend has been going on this weekend, and it has resulted in the price of gas increasing again. I figured I'd take an opportunity to discuss gas prices on my blog and give my opinion on the topic, as well as what the rise of gas prices has done to citizens in the United States (and lets not forget those Canadians living to the north too :-P).
When looking at gas prices from an overall standpoint, the greed of gas companies has gotten out of control and has resulted in the price of gas being outrageously high. Looking online today, I noticed that a gallon of gas averages a cost of $3.19 across the United States, which is an increase of 36 cents from this same one year ago. Whats even worse, is that these rising trends are going to continue, as some experts are even saying that in another year, gas could rise up to over $4.00 a gallon, something I never thought would happen. With the price of gas rising, many people are not happy, as gas is a vital need to the transportation system in the United States. With people using gas to power up cars, boats, motorcycles, lawnmowers, four-wheelers, you name it, gas is proven to be a very important resource. The sudden rise of gas prices has not only angered society, but it has resulted in the whole nation showing their displeasure over gas prices in numerous ways.
For starters, there have been various news stories that you see appearing on television, in newspapers, magazines, etc. about the price of oil and various subtopics. Since its such a large topic of discussion these days in the United States, every media outlet is doing what they can to offer their own two cents on the topic. One interesting method in particular that has attracted my eye is people who have voiced their opinion about high gas prices through Facebook, a social networking utility for people. Being a member of Facebook, I have seen many different groups talking about gas, but never looked at how many there were. Upon looking, there are over 500+ groups on Facebook that talked about gas prices. These group ranged to be about topics such as how we can get gas prices lowered, people voicing their displeasure about rising gas prices, and other various topics. When looking at the increased coverage about rising gas prices, I find it all interesting because about five years ago, gas prices, oil rigs, and supply/demand were seldom mentioned words in conversations. In today's world, these words, and many others are common words that are heard in discussions wherever you go.
With there being so many negatives about gas prices lately, I'd like to take time out to point out some of the overseen positive things to come from gas prices increasing. One thing that jumps out at me is the variety of websites that go into detail about high gasoline prices (ex - TwinCitiesGasPrices.com). These sites enable people to find gas stations with the cheapest gas prices online. In addition to this, car companies are doing their part as they are trying to improve gas mileage in their new car models. This includes such methods as making their new cars more fuel efficient, offering free gas for people who purchase cars from dealerships and creating hybrid vehicles that run on electricity and ethanol fuels. Higher gas prices have also prompted businesses to help consumers out as radio stations, newspaper companies and various websites online offer giveaways where people have the opportunity to get free gas. All of these positives reflect the conscious effort that has been made by people to make the best out of a bad situation. Makes me wonder if any of this would even exist if gas prices were in a lower range. Would we care that much if gas was lower??? Probably not.
Taken as a whole, I feel gas prices are something that is a complete joke, and that in the future, things need to change. For starters, many people cite the increase of gas prices due to increased demand and lower supply of oil. That is not the case. The demand for oil has increased, but it has not grown in such a fashion whereas it has been the wholehearted reason for the increase of gas prices. The main reason for increase has to do with our overall oil supply. When looking at the supply, there is plenty of oil in the world, and oil companies could produce a lot more oil than they have currently been producing. If oil companies would start drilling for oil in more locations, and producing more oil barrels per day, this would drive down gas prices in a heartbeat as the demand would decrease, and the supply would increase. Instead, they have been producing less oil, rather than more, which has resulted in both raised demand for oil and increased prices at the pump.
In my opinion, oil companies need to stop being so greedy, and lower gas prices. Our world has become so dependent on oil that even though they are raising gas prices, we still buy, no matter what the cost is. Just thinking of how much money they are making for each barrel sold is sickening, and its something that if continued, could get way out of control. Its encouraging to see that people are starting to boycott certain gas stations, not buy gas on certain days, and this needs to continue, as our voice needs to be heard towards the gas companies.
If you are still reading my post to this point, I'd like to conclude by saying, don't buy gas from Exxon or Mobil. They are the two largest oil companies, and if people band together and choose not to purchase gas from them, prices of gas WILL go down. Also, there have been several days (the last being May 15th), where people have boycotted gasoline purchases. If any future dates come up, I will post them on my blog, as I would encourage you to participate in those as well.
OK...I am done ranting...for now.
Labels: gas prices, greedy people
If you watched Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals between the Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, you saw the worst display of sportsmanship in the 2007 NBA playoffs thus far. No, it was not Jerry Sloan getting ejected, nor was it Derek Fisher getting the heave ho at the end of the game either. This honor goes to the sold out crowd packed inside of Energy Solutions Arena who constantly jeering the basketball officials over the course of the game.
