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No problems with companies making profits but why is it that oil companies seem to be the only business that when threatened by natural or man made disasters to their commodity make enormous profits in the wake?

Why aren't they reinvesting some of their billions in new research like drug companies do? Why aren't they using those dollars to vigorously fight off the envirowhackos so they can build new refineries? Their pockets are obviously deeper with billions in profit, they should be able to squash the greenies like the stink bugs that they are.

I pay the price, but I don't like the effect the speculators have/had on the market. I'm a capitalist and believe in the freemarket system as well, just feel there are some areas of improvement that can be made to help keep the supply of gas even with demand, not short, not long. I'm all for keeping oil company profits at a reasonable rate and providing affordable fuel for the masses. And no, I'm not talking about price controls or forced production.

For all the true capitalists out there, spare me, I know about supply and demand, yadda yadda, etc, etc. I'm just posting some questions for thought.

Cheers!

They aren't reinvesting, because they don't want to build refineries. Building refineries is difficult due to excessive legislation. But most of the reason is that more refineries means less supply interruption, and supply interruption means huge profits.

Remove legislative barriers to refinery building. Remove boutique blends. See what the oil companies do then. I bet they would build a couple for public relations purposes at least.

And all of these milk references are crap. No one has to buy milk. Most have to buy energy no matter what it costs. I have argued this time and again with the oil company workers and investors here, and they don't get it. They still think most of us could stop buying gas if we don't like the price.

I don't support government price controls. I have changed my outlook, though. I think they will be forced to drop prices after this winter. I think after most people get their heating bills, there will be public outrage, and the oil companies will have to do something to avoid torch-bearing mobs of angry citizens.

And let's not forget that the biggest "gouger" is government. And it's controlled by Republicans. They are doing nothing to remove legislative barriers, and they are just posturing and finger pointing.