Posted on 04/22/2006 3:27:41 AM PDT by rightwingintelligentsia
Congressional leaders yesterday planned to ask President Bush to order investigations into possible price gouging by oil companies as crude oil prices hit new highs on world markets and average gasoline prices in the nation's capital blew through the $3-a-gallon mark.
House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) are preparing to send a letter to the president Monday asking him to direct the Federal Trade Commission and Justice Department to investigate alleged price gouging and instruct the Environmental Protection Agency to issue waivers that might make it easier for oil refiners to produce adequate gasoline supplies, Hastert spokesman Ron Bonjean said.
Hastert and Frist's letter comes amid charges by some consumer groups and Democrats that oil companies have manipulated refineries and oil inventories to drive up prices. Hastert also took aim at the rich pay package for Exxon Mobil Corp.'s retired chief executive, which he called "unconscionable."
Yesterday, oil prices climbed to a new record, unadjusted for inflation, with benchmark crude rising $1.48 to settle at $75.17 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Average gasoline prices in the District reached $3.02 a gallon, up 3 cents from the day before.
AAA Mid-Atlantic moved to discourage panic. "We caution drivers against hoarding or panic-buying. If one gas station is out, the next one will have fuel," said John B. Townsend II, AAA Mid-Atlantic's manager of public and government affairs.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
OPEC sets maximum production quotas. But the price is set by the futures market, long term contracts or the spot market.
Well our founders did not setup a socialist type economy comrade... This nation has been and always will be a free market economy.. Don't like it that is your problem...
I think your definition of a free market economy is quite different from what the founders envisioned...Our Founders did not set up a system whereby foreign business entities would control our natural resourses, like coal, and oil like we have now...Seems to me that's one of the reason the New Americans fought the British...
I don't think the founders envisioned Nafta, Cafta, the NWO, the WTO, the CFR and all the other anti-American schemes you fellas love...
"I agree. But this is not a new problem and my question is why, after all this time, the Pubbies have allowed the liberals to dominate the perception game."
The "Pubbies", as you call them, have NEVER been adept at media communications (except Reagan). The media is OWNED by the enemy, and they will frame any issue in a context that helps the Dems....thus, it is my contention that Frist and Hassert are smart to force the media to report that the GOP wants answers....when they start getting answers that POINT to the foolish obstruction of democrats, the media will have to report it.
What we NEED to do in the REAL world was not the focus of my comment, although I agree with all you put forth. My point was that I believe Hassert and Frist are not betraying our side (free market capitalism), but are beating the Dems to the punch, and will use hearings as a way of showing where the problem REALLY lies....with DEMS.
There are far fewer "swing" republicans that swing voters...one could call them moderates.
I have always believed that moderates are WORSE than Dems.
At any rate, my only point on this whole thread was that I don't believe Hassert and Frist are Judas's for calling for a probe....If they didn't, the Dems would anyway...the fact that the GOP has opening expressed concern is a postitve, and it allows them a chance to expose the obstructionist Dems..
Nor did our founders enivision a bunch of socialist running around.. If they did not want the evil foreigners own anything here in America, I'm sure they would have said something.. Comrade....
Yeah, I gotta agree.
I hope the Republicans come out swinging for a change.
More political theater. Nothing should or will come of it.
Oil prices as high as they are today are providing the incentive.
We have 2000 working rigs in the U.S. right now according to a report I heard.
All of them are drilling new wells even as we converse. And all of them have a 4 to 6 month backlog.
If, however, we implement a windfall profits tax, we will remove the incentive for new exploration and drilling. why should they drill if we are going to punish them for selling at market prices.
Maybe Hastert and Frist just don't want the Democrats to win the House by convincing stupid people that they will lower the price of gas.
But they say the refineries are working to capacity...What they going to do with the oil??? Possibly send it overseas??? I looked at a few of the companies listed and at least those have international operations...
If, however, we implement a windfall profits tax, we will remove the incentive for new exploration and drilling. why should they drill if we are going to punish them for selling at market prices.
I'm hoping for the price to go down, not up...The gov't has got their slimy hands into enough of my money...I'd never support giving them more...
Correct.
Building new refineries seems to be the only way to rein in runaway prices when there is a shortage---planned or othrwise.
To me it seems like a matter of national security.
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