Historic Gasoline Prices

[Gman]

Here's an interesting chart:



What strikes me most is the lower level of gas during the 1990's (Clinton era) then then the price goes up and stays up after 2000 (Bush).

No one can convince me this isn't contrived by the oil companies and the BFEE.

More at http://www.chartoftheday.com/

[brokensymmetry]

1. So, what's your position on Peak Oil?

Do you believe the current market action isn't related to recognition of supply limitations?

[Gman]

7. Supply limitations are self-imposed

A few weeks ago Shell shut down its humongous refinery in Deer Park there on 225 because of a "technical glitch". I kid you not. To my knowledge, it remains shut down. There were refinery workers in 2001 that came forward with stories about how the supply was being manipulated.

And, you cannot convince me that, in CA, the incremental cost of manufacturing a different mixture is so expensive that it justifies such higher prices. Big oils' economics of scale make that argument ludicrous. They've even invented a cute new phrase for it: "Boutique blends". That phrase is blatantly designed to invoke notions of something more expensive by choice.

We're getting scammed and Bush is making it happen. Do you disagree that Bush is making it happen?

[brokensymmetry]

9. You ask...

Do you disagree that Bush is making it happen?

Well, really, I'm not sure. He and Cheney are certainly well connected in the industry, so it's possible that they're doing that. And it would increase oil company earnings, which would be a motive.

On the other hand, high energy prices tend to be bad for the economy - which is none too good anyway. High gasoline prices tend to irritate voters - and November is coming up.

So, if they're making it happen, they're putting their chances of election at risk, IMO. That seems counterproductive, from their perspective.

You make some good points - but, as I mentioned, it seems hard to believe that they'd risk four more years of control just to pick up a few extra bucks. Maybe I underestimate their greed.

[treepig]

2. actually the price went up dramatically during the summer of 2000

and probably played a significant role in gore's defeat (i remember a bunch of dumbasses being interviewed on tv who claimed they were voting for bush because of the high gas prices, which they blamed on clinton, or his body parts).

[Kazak]

3. Now there was a winning strategy.

:eyes:

[galadrium]

4. this won't be good for dubya

There isn't a better way to show people how shitty this economy really is than to ask them about $2 a gallon gas. just my .02

[Deja Q]

6. Wait until early 2008...

Peak oil wil have subsided and the braindead American populace will merrily blame Kerry for the collapse of the economy thanks to the end of peak oil... (So maybe Bush should stay in power...?)

Given that the cost of crude oil has doubled since 1999, I find it easy to believe that peak oil has come and gone.

[Deja Q]

5. * didn't get in until Jan 2001. More interestingly,

crude oil was $10 cheaper in 1999, than it was in 2000.

What's interesting is the drop in price of oil just after 9/11, especially when gas stations raised prices to near-current prices...

At this point, prices will only go up anyway.

And I agree, something about the chart doesn't ring true. Gas prices NOW being lower (inflation-adjusted, of course) than they were in 1985...

[Gman]

8. Don't discount the effect of a sinking dollar on crude prices

It takes more dollars now to buy the same barrel than what it did in 1999 partly because of the weak dollar. OPEC is still considering going to the Euro as its benchmark. I believe Indonesia (a huge oil producing region) already has.

[htuttle]

10. I think they all have, but haven't told anyone

If you look at what a barrel of oil costs in Euros, it remained fairly stable at 23-24 Euros/barrel from 2002 up until only very recently (when it's gone up to about 28 Euros, or so). So it would seem the real price target is about 24 Euros, and the dollar price is derived from this.

I think that oil is quite a bit cheaper in Euros now than it was in 2000.

[annagull]

11. just googled Clinton-gas prices-2000

remember all the noise on the right during the summer of 2000?
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=clinton+gas+prices+2000&btnG=Google+Search

Governor blames Clinton policies for gas prices. Thompson also takes a shot at
Gore while testifying before House hearing. ... Last Updated: June 28, 2000. ...
www.jsonline.com/news/state/jun00/gas29062800.asp

Thank Clinton-Gore for gas prices © 2000 WorldNetDaily.com. You've
seen the video clip on TV news shows over and over again. Vice ...
www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=14999 - 22k -

it just goes on and on. Huge coverage on CNN during this time. Now we barely hear a peep.

[BillZBubb]

12. Great point--corporate media not interested now

High gasoline prices were all they could talk about in late summer and fall of 2000. It was Clinton's fault they screamed.

Now, prices are even higher after oil "experts" Bush* and Cheney are running the show. The corporate media, and sadly even most citizens, don't even raise the issue. And they certainly don't attach blame to the moronocracy.

Disgusting!