Gas Prices Are Going Up & It’s Obama’s Fault (The Stir)

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Gas Prices Are Going Up & It’s Obama’s Fault (The Stir)
Posted by imamomzilla
on 4/27/12 at 10:25am (2 likes)
Posted by Jenny Erikson

It’s hard to find gas for less than $4 per gallon in my neck of the woods, and the experts are telling me that I should enjoy this low price while I can, because rates are only going to go up. Please excuse me while I curl into a ball on the floor and weep openly. If only tears could fuel my SUV, I’d be good to go.

Gasoline fuels my vehicle, as it fuels every other vehicle out there (even the coal-powered cars use some gas). Petroleum is a basic necessity in our modern world -- it’s used in practically everything. We need oil to keep the wheels of our economy turning, so why is President Obama so eager to restrict our access to it by making it cost-prohibitive? Even more to the point, since higher fuel costs affect the lower income earners disproportionately to the wealthy – why does President Obama hate poor people? They're going to be suffering the most with high gas prices.

This president has been nothing but bad news on the energy front. His moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico bankrupted Seahawk Drilling and put over 600 people out of work. His rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline to transfer crude oil from Canada to refineries in Texas not only robs the United States of thousands of jobs, but harms the planet because now Canada will ship that oil to China, which will create a lot more pollution than if it had gone to Texas.

We import nearly 60% of the oil used here in America, and much of that comes from the Middle East. In case you hadn’t heard, things aren’t all sunshine and rosebuds over there. On Monday, Iran announced that it would no longer export oil to Britain and France. The U.S. does not import oil from Iran, and now Britain and France are going to be going after the same sources as us. It’s basic economics: Limited supply plus increased demand equals skyrocketing prices.

What’s that? We should be focusing on green, renewable energy? We should invest in, oh I don’t know … let’s say … a solar panel company? How about $535 million in taxpayer dollars? Is that enough? Ok, done. Wait … that already happened. Solyndra went bankrupt after George Kaiser, one of Barack Obama’s campaign bundlers, got a big fat payout. Just because that wasn’t painful enough on its own, they later threw the existing solar panels into the trash.

As more nations industrialize and develop a need for oil, it becomes more and more important that we increase our supply. We have plenty of oil -- tons of it. We just have to get it. Right now, our president is standing in our way. It’s a good thing it’s an election year, because if Barack Obama won’t get out of the way in making America energy independent, we’ll vote someone in who will.

Replies (1-10 of 42)

Posted by jlo1313
on 4/27/12 at 10:34am (5 likes)

I agree that Obama's decisions and lack of being able to put together any type of green energy plan are standing in our way, but the issues with oil go far deeper. We export most of the oil we produce in the US, we face OPEC, the cockiest organization in the world and allow them free reign over world trading of oil and we have the richest oil companies in America reaping record high profits and stuffing dollar bills in congressmen's and senator's pants on a daily basis. Oil companies stand in the way of progressive change to green energy and historically they always have. As long as business keeps going the way it is going it is not going to affect anyone except the poor and middle class and continue to drain them. We need to stop giving power to the oil companies, we need to demand more of our own natural resources stay, we need transparency from government and we need to push our lawmakers to reign in OPEC. If China can promise to put 500,000 electric cars on their roads by 2015, what the hell is wrong with America promising to do the same or double it? Its not the people...
Posted by AdellesMom
on 4/27/12 at 10:39am (7 likes)

"why does President Obama hate poor people?" That question makes no sense. I thought he was the "food stamps President.?" Y'all can't have that both ways.

Anywho, let's blame everything on Obama instead of these greedy companies and their lobbyists! That makes perfect sense! (That was total sarcasm for the sarcasm impaired.)
Posted by kcangel63
on 4/27/12 at 10:43am (3 likes)

He's only the goods stamps pres because our economy has tanked, and our dollar is worth nothing. Due to that, many people can't afford to buy food.

Quoting AdellesMom:

"why does President Obama hate poor people?" Thay question makes no sense. I thought he was the "food stamps President.?" Y'all can't have that both ways.

Anywho, let's blame everything on Obama instead of these greedy companies and their lobbyists! That makes perfect sense! (That was total sarcasm for the sarcasm impaired.)
Posted by AdellesMom
on 4/27/12 at 10:46am

I understand that. I don't call him that because I realize why more people are on FS. I just think it's ridiculous to say that he hates poor people. Esepecially since Republicans have given him that title.
Quoting kcangel63:

He's only the goods stamps pres because our economy has tanked, and our dollar is worth nothing. Due to that, many people can't afford to buy food.

Quoting AdellesMom:

"why does President Obama hate poor people?" Thay question makes no sense. I thought he was the "food stamps President.?" Y'all can't have that both ways.

Anywho, let's blame everything on Obama instead of these greedy companies and their lobbyists! That makes perfect sense! (That was total sarcasm for the sarcasm impaired.)
Posted by kcangel63
on 4/27/12 at 10:50am (4 likes)

Yep!

IMO, the Bush admin is just as at fault for this mess as the Obama admin. There is no difference between the two sides. They are the same. It's funny how people can't see that.

Rant over. LOL!

Quoting AdellesMom:

I understand that. I don't call him that because I realize why more people are on FS. I just think its ridiculous to say that he hates poor people. Esepecially since Republicans have given him that title.

Quoting kcangel63:

He's only the goods stamps pres because our economy has tanked, and our dollar is worth nothing. Due to that, many people can't afford to buy food.

Quoting AdellesMom:

"why does President Obama hate poor people?" Thay question makes no sense. I thought he was the "food stamps President.?" Y'all can't have that both ways.

Anywho, let's blame everything on Obama instead of these greedy companies and their lobbyists! That makes perfect sense! (That was total sarcasm for the sarcasm impaired.)
Posted by LIMom1105
on 4/27/12 at 10:56am (2 likes)

Quoting jlo1313:

I agree that Obama's decisions and lack of being able to put together any type of green energy plan are standing in our way, but the issues with oil go far deeper. We export most of the oil we produce in the US, we face OPEC, the cockiest organization in the world and allow them free reign over world trading of oil and we have the richest oil companies in America reaping record high profits and stuffing dollar bills in congressmen's and senator's pants on a daily basis. Oil companies stand in the way of progressive change to green energy and historically they always have. As long as business keeps going the way it is going it is not going to affect anyone except the poor and middle class and continue to drain them. We need to stop giving power to the oil companies, we need to demand more of our own natural resources stay, we need transparency from government and we need to push our lawmakers to reign in OPEC. If China can promise to put 500,000 electric cars on their roads by 2015, what the hell is wrong with America promising to do the same or double it? Its not the people...

Thank you! This is the bigger issue, and it's not going to change under Romney either if he is elected. Part of the thing with China is that their government assists companies that could really run with some product, and need an initial boost. Not sure if they are doing this with the electric cars, but they did it for the company that now manufactures many of the Apple products.

Sometimes you need a little socialism...
Posted by shannonnigans
on 4/27/12 at 11:05am (10 likes)

Back to Econ class. Obama, or any sitting president for that matter, cannot implement policy that would have an immediate effect on gas prices. Where does the author even get that from? You could start the most ambitious drilling project the world has ever seen, and you still wouldn't see the results of that for years. Moreover, once you did, I know I certainly trust the oil companies to pass those profits down to me, the consumer. How naive can one get. Short of opening up the strategic oil reserves, you're never going to see the president change oil prices, and if you think this would change under Romney, you're just kidding yourself.
Posted by jlo1313
on 4/27/12 at 11:06am (1 like)

One of the biggest things China is doing and are able to do because they don't have big oil in their government pockets is building charging stations for the electric cars they will introduce in their markets. Look around you, do you have charging stations? Someone finally bought a Volt in my area and I see it and I really like the looks of the car, and I am a car snob! I drive down the interstate with the Volt almost daily. But I want to pull the lady over and ask her how she likes it and where she is charging it (I am guessing she probably doesn't and just uses the fuel for now).

We have gas stations on almost every corner. Why can't we add a few charging stations and where is it outlined in anyone's energy plan (Obama, Romney, Congress, Senate) to add these or to offer any incentives to get them added. We have the people, we have the innovation and we have the real estate to make this happen and it is not possible because of government. Can you imagine if they took a portion of their daily profit at American big oil and put that toward green energy what it would do for the Auto industry in our country? For creating jobs (even if only temporary) to build the infrastructure, to manufacture the electric cars and to create better technology and add battery recycling centers around America? One thing can add thousands and thousands of jobs but we just keep taking away from America. Its truly just sad.

Quoting LIMom1105:

Quoting jlo1313:

I agree that Obama's decisions and lack of being able to put together any type of green energy plan are standing in our way, but the issues with oil go far deeper. We export most of the oil we produce in the US, we face OPEC, the cockiest organization in the world and allow them free reign over world trading of oil and we have the richest oil companies in America reaping record high profits and stuffing dollar bills in congressmen's and senator's pants on a daily basis. Oil companies stand in the way of progressive change to green energy and historically they always have. As long as business keeps going the way it is going it is not going to affect anyone except the poor and middle class and continue to drain them. We need to stop giving power to the oil companies, we need to demand more of our own natural resources stay, we need transparency from government and we need to push our lawmakers to reign in OPEC. If China can promise to put 500,000 electric cars on their roads by 2015, what the hell is wrong with America promising to do the same or double it? Its not the people...

Thank you! This is the bigger issue, and it's not going to change under Romney either if he is elected. Part of the thing with China is that their government assists companies that could really run with some product, and need an initial boost. Not sure if they are doing this with the electric cars, but they did it for the company that now manufactures many of the Apple products.

Sometimes you need a little socialism...
Posted by jlo1313
on 4/27/12 at 11:15am (1 like)

You are right in that it cannot change under one President, it is going to take a well implemented plan in all of DC. As long as oil companies line the pockets of your decision makers, you will forever be a prisoner to gas prices being instable and threatening. This isn't an issue that is going to to away without electing officials that 1. Truly understand the root of the problem and can get on board with a solution. 2. Elect officials that will uphold the what is best for the people and not be bought off by lobbyists once they get to DC. 3. Elect officials that recognize that oil is not going away in the near future, but we don't have to be dependent on it with a few infrastructure changes. 4. Push your elected officials to go make a stance at OPEC. If the US consumes 60% of the oil and we just say no more, it affects OPEC and we have a leg to stand on. This was not able to be done in European markets and that is why their gas prices are what they are, when you take in 1-10% you are not a big enough fish to fry. Any customer that makes up 60% of your business is going to cause a raucous when they throw a fit.

To be very frank (and a little graphic) we need some officials with some large balls in their pants and a back up plan for their people to bitch to customer service and say enough is enough. In my house, that person is usually me and I generally make people want to do things for me by being overly diplomatic while still making my point that I am a dissatisfied customer. We can't do that until we address our infrastructure plan and have something that works.

Quoting shannonnigans:

Back to Econ class. Obama, or any sitting president for that matter, cannot implement policy that would have an immediate effect on gas prices. Where does the author even get that from? You could start the most ambitious drilling project the world has ever seen, and you still wouldn't see the results of that for years. Moreover, once you did, I know I certainly trust the oil companies to pass those profits down to me, the consumer. How naive can one get. Short of opening up the strategic oil reserves, you're never going to see the president change oil prices, and if you think this would change under Romney, you're just kidding yourself.
Posted by Mamawto4
on 4/27/12 at 11:19am (1 like)

The reason the US has to export so much oil is because the EPA has effectively shut down our refineries here. Oil is no good to anyone until it is refined into a usable product. In order to do that, there has to be refineries, those refineries, which used to be here are now in other countries with softer environmental regulations.
Unfortunately, just shipping the oil then petroleum back and forth has a greater environmental impact than when the refineries were allowed to operate in the US.