Re: OIL COMPANY'S PROFIT!!!!
I knew someone would get around to blaming environmentalists. <br /><br />And I can't believe all you conservatives want to step into the middle of a free market at the first sign it may negatively affect you.<br /><br />And so many want to criticize oil companies for not keeping things like "The National Good" (whatever that is) in mind.<br /><br />Oil companies are in business to make a profit. There is no such thing as "Too much profit".<br /><br />They are not there to protect the national good, nor is there any requirement that you somehow "deserve" cheap gas.<br /><br />Our representatives are in charge of protecting the national good. That includes economic, environmental, national security factors among others.<br /><br />Gas prices will modify depending on supply and demand. Demand will decrease when prices increase, and, as GM will find out, large vehicles will become less popular.<br /><br />There are lots of ways to decrease demand. legislators can vote to build an efficient public transportation system, and get lots of cars off the road. We can mount an Apollo like effort to develop alternate energy sources. There are all sorts of ways to do it.<br /><br />Frankly, I can understand the oil companies not wanting to invest the billions into new refinery capacity. As crude becomes more scarce, and costly, eventually we will be forced to develop alternatives, and that new refinery capacity will be worthless.<br /><br />In the meantime, don't expect oil companies to do anything more than attempt to maximize their profits. That is all they are designed, or are capable, of doing.