Gas Prices and the Repubs

[mediamogul]

The Republicans have made gas prices one of the talking points of the primaries. They claim that the solution is the Keystone pipeline and drilling the nation's oil reserves. They argue that this has been a drain on the economy. This is essentially the same thing that Republicans have been saying for the last 30 years.

Obama has proposed that we need to reduce our reliance on foreign oil, especially those notoriously unstable Middle Eastern countries where much of the world's oil originates, and explore alternative energy sources. He has also argued for reducing the influence that Wall Street speculators have in driving up oil prices.

What are your thoughts on rising gas prices and the solution to this ongoing debate? Are you for drilling the US's oil reserves?

[kılıç_mehmet]

Well, if Obama would really do what he'd say he do, it'd be great. But I think that the US should bring stability to Afghanistan first.
Really, do something right for the first time in your history, please. Bring peace to Afghanistan, do not pull out until your work is done.

[Handprint]

I think we should be putting massive effort into finding alternative ways to fuel our shit.

[Minimalist]

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/02/21/13...ehind.html

WASHINGTON — U.S. demand for oil and refined products — including gasoline — is down sharply from last year, so much that United States has actually become a net exporter of gasoline, unable to consume all that it makes.

Yet oil and gasoline prices are surging.

While tension over Iran has ratcheted up over the last few months, the price of oil and gasoline has leaped far beyond conventional supply and demand variables. Financial speculators are piling into the market, torquing the Iranian fear factor into ever-higher prices.

"Speculation is now part of the DNA of oil prices. You cannot separate the two anymore. There is no demarcation," said Fadel Gheit, a 30-year veteran of energy markets and an analyst at Oppenheimer & Co. "I still remain convinced oil prices are inflated."

Some people like to call this ( ahem) "the invisible hand of the market" and pretend that it is a good thing.

I call it price gouging and corruption.

Take a few of the oil speculators out into Central Park and put a bullet in the back of their heads and see how fast the rest of them fall into line.

[mediamogul]

Well, if Obama would really do what he'd say he do, it'd be great. But I think that the US should bring stability to Afghanistan first.
Really, do something right for the first time in your history, please. Bring peace to Afghanistan, do not pull out until your work is done.

Well considering that ten years later things are just as messed up over ther as they ever were I see no reason to prolong this quagmire. Also Obama inherited this mess from dubya and his hawk buddies. Not to mention that there may be not one but two military actions in the same region depending how things play out with Israel and Syria. Related to gas prices further instability will only drive them up further.

[Minimalist]

Also Obama inherited this mess from dubya and his hawk buddies.

Yes, he did. However, Obama maintained during the campaign that Afghanistan was worth fighting while Iraq was not. Now Obama owns Afghanistan as he doubled-down on it and has watched things spiral out of control as we all knew that they would.

I'll still take Obama over any of the 4 lumps of shit running against him but Afghanistan is now his quagmire.

[mediamogul]

Also Obama inherited this mess from dubya and his hawk buddies.

Yes, he did. However, Obama maintained during the campaign that Afghanistan was worth fighting while Iraq was not. Now Obama owns Afghanistan as he doubled-down on it and has watched things spiral out of control as we all knew that they would.

I'll still take Obama over any of the 4 lumps of shit running against him but Afghanistan is now his quagmire.

Fair enough. I will also say there has been a lot of hard talk from Obama about ending the occupation of Afghanistan but not a lot of action. If we see a Republican in the White House it will most likely end up with us fighting half of the Middle East.

[Minimalist]

I'm starting to think that no American president can dare rule without finding somebody to drop bombs on at the very least.

McCain wants to bomb Syria...after we started bombing Libya, Yemen, Somalia, & Pakistan.

[Doubting Thomas]

And Iran. Don't forget about bombing Iran.

Of course the Repubs want gas prices to go sky high this summer so that people will vote for Romney. Or, not actually voting for Romney, but voting against Obama. They're desperate because they know their candidates suck, and they have little chance of winning the presidency.

[kılıç_mehmet]

Well, if Obama would really do what he'd say he do, it'd be great. But I think that the US should bring stability to Afghanistan first.
Really, do something right for the first time in your history, please. Bring peace to Afghanistan, do not pull out until your work is done.

Well considering that ten years later things are just as messed up over ther as they ever were I see no reason to prolong this quagmire. Also Obama inherited this mess from dubya and his hawk buddies. Not to mention that there may be not one but two military actions in the same region depending how things play out with Israel and Syria. Related to gas prices further instability will only drive them up further.

Obama is merely a person. It doesn't matter whom he inherited anything, it is your country which is involved in these, not politicians.