F... gas prices

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

You're right that refining capacity is a big part of the reason that gas prices have jumped recently. But if you want to eliminate the pains of gas prices, the real answer is to stop using so much oil for everything. The root of the problem is demand. America is dependent upon oil for so much of what we do, finding alternative energy sources is the long-term, most viable solution to the problem.

That of course will take time though. So in the interim, you're right, more refineries are needed.

But our demand hasn't increased dramatically. The emerging demand in India and China is what is killing supply overall. It seems unfair for us to have to cut our demand while other countries expant their demand exponentially. I guess life isn't fair.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

But our demand hasn't increased dramatically. The emerging demand in India and China is what is killing supply overall. It seems unfair for us to have to cut our demand while other countries expant their demand exponentially. I guess life isn't fair.

No our demand hasn't increased. The demand for oil at a global level has increased because of China and India. And like we said, the price of oil is determined by traders on wall street who trade on the futures contract of crude oil. Those traders factor in global demand, not regional demand. If demand increases on the other side of the world and stays constant here, price goes up for everyone.

And cutting our dependency on oil should be something we all WANT to do as Americans, not something we reluctantly go along with. If we weren't dependent upon oil we'd have no reason to get involved in the Middle East. And if we can find a cheaper, more abundant source of energy, it would be a win-win for the entire world.

But you don't eliminate America's oil addiction by buying hybrid vehicles or taking public transportation. That will barely make a dent. You need a total switch to another source, whether it be solar, nuclear, hydrogen, or whathaveyou.