Check out today's CNN Poll

[XOKCowboy]

What do you think is the main cause of rising gas prices?
Hurricanes
Lack of refining capacity
Price gouging
Other market forces

I, of course, voted for price gouging. I was pleasantly surprised by the vote tally so far.

http://www.cnn.com/

Edited to add URL

[0007]

1. That's what I voted. Price gouging without a doubt.

[Extend a Hand]

2. They don't have the real reason

'peak oil'

[MadisonProgressive]

9. I used 'other market forces' to represent Peak Oil

[Extend a Hand]

11. I dunno

peak oil is a physical limit rather than a market force. Maybe it's nitpicking, but in the peak oil discussion, only economists think that the market can possilbly fix this problem. Scientists and geologists are all firmly in the 'we've got a serious problem' camp.

[MadisonProgressive]

13. Not in my understanding

Market conditions, like 'supply' and 'demand' are definately tied to peak oil.

[AllyCat]

3. Link to post?

I'll try to find it at CNN.com, but it might be helpful for those of us who are too impatient to keep on top of this stuff manually :)

[XOKCowboy]

4. I just added the URL

Scroll down and it's on the right side. You have to vote to see the results.

[AllyCat]

7. Thanks! Stunning results, eh? eom

[davidinalameda]

5. must concur

What do you think is the main cause of rising gas prices?

Hurricanes 4% 1982 votes

Lack of refining capacity 21% 10484 votes

Price gouging 65% 32043 votes

Other market forces 10% 4901 votes
Total: 49410 votes

[AllyCat]

6. Thanks! I found it after all.

Got an email from Harry Reid...it's price gouging (although I do agree with another poster that it's probably Peak oil).

Dear Friend,

Recently, a lobbyist from the American Petroleum Institute (the lobbying arm of big oil) was overheard at a bar saying, "we're the richest trade association in town." That comment sums up their response to record gas prices before and following Hurricane Katrina. As gas prices shoot up, they're counting their money and buying drinks for their friends.

Not coincidentally, while families pay those record prices, oil companies' profits have shot up. According to an Oil Daily report before Katrina hit, the ten major oil companies are on pace to post an astounding $100 billion plus in profits in 2005. I'm all for American businesses doing well, but we must make sure these record profits aren't reaped at the expense of America's families.

Last week the Senate Democratic Policy Committee called the CEOs of big oil to answer questions about their record profits on the backs of Hurricane Katrina. Of course they refused to show up. If they won't answer Congress' questions maybe they'll answer their customers' questions.

Join me to ask the CEOs of big oil: Why in the face of national tragedy are Americans paying 50% more at the pump than they did one year ago, while you reap record profits?

Ask the CEOs yourself by visiting:

http://www.giveemhellharry.com/page/petition/gas

---snip---

There's a lot more, particulary referring to the Energy Bill.

[me b zola]

8. done

What do you think is the main cause of rising gas prices?

Hurricanes............................4%...1982 votes

Lack of refining capacity............21%..10484 votes

Price gouging........................65%...32043 votes

Other market forces..................10%...4901 votes


Total: 49410 votes

[biscotti]

10. Done 65% gouging

[Mist]

12. Still at 65% for gouging, and 21% for lack of refining capacity. n/t