[bmwcyle]

The real problem is inflation and printing money.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Yes, Oil is traded in dollars. As the dollar weakens the price of gas goes up. As the dollar strenghtens the price of gas goes down. That and the fact that we do not have enough refineries to refine the oil into gas are the problems.

[relictele]

Not to mention paying roughly $0.55 per gallon to provide fed & states with a slush fund. Crumbling roads and bridges take a backseat to choo-choo trains, lefty environweenie bureaucrats and non-transportation budget items.

[usconservative]

The real problem is inflation and printing money.

That's certainly contributing to the problem but it isn't the only cause. Here are a few more contributors that I've been reading about (by no means is this a complete list):

• No new refineries built in almost 40 years;
• OPEC Countries REDUCING output literally barrel for barrel for every barrel produced here in the US. This constricts global supply propping prices up;
• Environmental whacko's preventing any new refineries;
• Refineries restricting gasoline supply to prop prices up. Most are operating at approx. 70% capacity which limits supply and artificially props prices up

  Earlier this week I read that oil supplies in this country are up over 15% from levels last year, and 25% from two years ago. There's no shortage of oil. There is a shortage of refining capacity even though the existing refining capacity is being manipulated by the refiners to keep prices up. Remember, refineries make money on the crack spread, which for them means they're making the most profit when gasoline reaches near $4/gallon. The high oil prices are affecting them also since oil's obviously the raw material from which gasoline is created.

  Anyone who thinks prices have peaked and are going back down is sadly mistaken. Wait until the refineries all restrict output at the same time while converting over to the "summer blend." I suspect we here in the midwest are going to see prices exceeding $4.75 and approaching $5 gallon before summer hits. Californian's are already seeing prices above $5.