Originally posted by Wien_Sean:

Finally some people that get it. OPEC is not some evil organization that makes oil prices high. Ever since OPEC kicked out the oil companies that were raping oil producing nations, the oil companies only had one way to make a profit; that is through the refining of the crude oil. It is no wonder that no new refineries have been built in the US since the 70's. While the have record profits they refuse to build new refineries. They say no one wants them in their "backyard," so it costs more to keep the existing ones running at 90%+ capacity. I am sure there are plenty of places that could have new refineries built and not be in someone's "backyard."
This is pure capitalism at its worst: price gouging.


Well, take a hard look at that statement. There have also been no nuclear power plants built in the US in twenty or so years. We tend to have a "yes we need it but not here" attitude. Would anyone here say you would want a nuclear power plant near you're city, say ten miles? No. But yet we [censored] about the cost of electricity which is dependant on the price of crude or natural gas or coal, even though atomic is far cheaper and renewable. We gripe about gas prices but we won't allow drilling on the west coast of Florida? We have stiffled this countries ability to come up with new means which makes us dependant on foreign crude.
We are our own worst enemy.
Time is finally catching up with the US.

Jim T

"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats".--H.L. Mencken Bumper sticker, OXYMORON #65 - Liberal Thinker